Torra hails Germany’s decentralized model in dealing with Covid-19 as opposed to Spain

Quim Torra has lamented that with the state of alarm being declared on March 14 in Spain, Catalonia "lost its autonomy in health care in these most delicate times."

In a press conference with international media on Thursday, the Catalan president contrasted the handling of the pandemic by the Spanish government with Germany, who have not centralized the health services. 

"Can you imagine Germany suspended the authority of the länder [federated states] in matters of health in the middle of the coronavirus crisis?", he asked.

"Germany has the lowest death ratio among the largest European states, he added. "Such a measure of centralizing rocks the constitution."

According to him, large states who have not centralized services and small states such as the Czech Republic, Denmark and Austria are coping “better” with the crisis.

European solidarity

The president also referred to the role Europe should play in the aftermath of the current crisis. In his words, countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, such as Spain and Italy, need solidarity from the European Union. “We share currency and values,” he said, adding: “We should therefore share the financial efforts against the pandemic.”