Name? Giuseppe Conte
Westphalian identity? Italian
Age? 55
Why is he in the news? Domestically, Conte faces pressure to act as some regions want to open up their economies while other, mostly southern regions want tourists to have a “health card;” setting up the south for a constitutional clash with Rome. Internationally, the EU is somewhat peeved with Italy as it has sidelined advice from Brussels as well as from Paris and Madrid regarding its reopening. Regardless of this external pressure, Conte is determined to open up Italy soon and swiftly.
Why do we care? Because Italy’s daily death count has fallen recently. This has led to Italy pushing for European states to open their borders; but, only to other Europeans. Italy’s lifting of restrictions is the most relaxed and immediate opening of an economy globally. As such, we’re selfishly interested to see how their reopening fares and if our own countries can follow suit.
Why should you care? If the Italian project fails, then we can be sure that governments (and maybe citizens) will be unwilling to open up economies. The EU is currently advising states to not open to international travel before July 15th, but Conte is having none of that. Conte will either end up as the prime example of a Prime Minister, sailing Italy through its domestic and foreign challenges while handling COVID-19, or, he will face calls to resign if infection rates grow and tourists continue to avoid Italy like the plague.
Who else cares? The developed world, especially European countries. The way to reopen economies after endless weeks on lockdown is the million-dollar question of leaders across the globe. Spike’s of infections in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea; notably without the significant international travel Italy will be allowing, shows that the possibility of subsequent “waves” of COVID-19 is extremely likely. Leaders and citizens alike will be watching Italy to see whether a country can reopen, limit its COVID-19 infections and deaths, and manage tough domestic and international political tensions during a global pandemic.
Any further comments? Only time will tell whether we as a society can live with COVID-19 as a potential daily threat, or if we truly need to find a way to eradicate it before we continue our normal lives. Italy is the West’s petri dish: a balance between Trump’s brazenly ignorant approach and facing our new daily reality of living with social distancing.
