A "social crisis" looms in the Coronavirus-ravaged European Union but it has an "unprecedented" chance for economic revival and policies to create jobs and growth, economy commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said on Tuesday.
"We are at a crossroads. There is the risk that the pandemic becomes a social crisis," Gentiloni told a trade and financial seminar in Brussels.
"But we have an unprecedented opportunity to re-launch the EU and for policies to generate employment and growth," Gentiloni added.
Gentiloni's remarks came as mayors in several Dutch cities said they would introduce emergency measures after days of rioting over the government's night-time curfew. Denmark has also witnessed chaotic scenes sparked by Coronavirus restrictions, prompting warnings of "civil war" by leaders in both countries.
The EU has approved a landmark 1.8 trillion-euro multi-year budget and stimulus package to help member states recover from COVID-19, as economists warn of a double-dip recession in the eurozone amid escalating restrictions to tackle the pandemic and a new surge in cases.
