European Research Council president resigns over response to coronavirus pandemic
The president of the European Research Council, the European Union's scientific and research organization, has resigned at the height of the coronavirus crisis.
Mauro Ferrari was recently appointed president of the European Research Council, effective January 1, but a European Commission spokesperson says, "Professor Ferrari has resigned."
Ferrari's sudden resignation and his scathing criticism of the lack of cooperation of EU members in the fight against the pandemic add to the pressure on EU institutions.
According to a statement released by Mauro Ferrari to the media, he said he deeply regretted Europe's response to the coronavirus outbreak. He complained about the organizational and political obstacles to quickly launching a scientific program to combat the virus: "I have seen enough of the scientific management and political activities in the European Union and I have lost faith in this system."
The European Commission has defended its response to the crisis, saying 18 research and development projects have been launched in a short space of time to tackle the coronavirus crisis. The European Commission said 50 European Research Council projects have contributed to efforts across Europe.
Although healthcare issues are the separate responsibility of EU member states, the bloc has been criticized for a lack of coordination in strict policies to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Economy and finance ministers from the 19 European Union countries that use the euro as their currency failed to agree on Wednesday on how to use financial instruments to improve solidarity between the bloc's rich and poor countries.
