European Union

The Italian government has said it plans to re-nationalise the bankrupt former national carrier Alitalia as part of its emergency economic rescue plan to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reported. Italian media reported that it could cost taxpayers up to €600m. The sum could come from the €25bn rescue package in Italy designed to help families and businesses.

An EU-China summit has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the EU Commission said on Tuesday. It was originally planned for the end of March in Beijing. The two sides jointly decided to postpone the meeting to focus on combatting the outbreak. "The two sides will remain in contact to agree on a date once the situation begins to normalise," a spokeswoman said.

Italy has rolled out a series of measures to cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus, including parental leave.

Isolated at home from one day to the next, millions of people in Europe are having to adapt to radically changed living conditions. France became the latest country to impose a curfew on Monday. And even where freedom of movement is not yet restricted, many people are voluntarily isolating themselves to slow the spread of coronavirus. Journalists encourage readers to make the most of the situation.

EU leaders will decide on further measures to contain Covid-19 in a video conference this Tuesday. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had proposed on Monday that entry into the EU should initially be banned for 30 days. The bloc hasn't exactly set a shining example when it comes to fighting the pandemic so far, many commentators criticise.

The progressive lockdown of many elements of daily life in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic threatens the existence of countless businesses, workers and self-employed. Eurogroup chief Mario Centeno tweeted on Monday that there would be an "energetic response" from the EU. Commentators discuss what politicians and citizens should do for the economy.

Spain's King Felipe VI has renounced his personal inheritance from his father Juan Carlos I and cut the former monarch's annual stipend from the royal budget. The move came after an investigation was launched into an offshore fund set up by Juan Carlos. The move is being interpreted as a break between the king and his father - but will Felipe be able to rescue the royal family's prestige?