Josep Borrell rejected suggestions the European Union would seek new powers over common health crisis but suggested member states could give the bloc “new competencies.” Mr Borrell suggested being able to make a coordinated effort in response to any future coronavirus-like pandemic could help the bloc be more secure in the event of a new crisis. Asked whether he would like Brussels to get more powers, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy told Euronews: “You mean new competencies, not new powers.

“New competencies? It would not be a bad idea, but it depends on which competences.

“This will have to be discussed among member states. To give more competences to the European Union would require a modification of the treaties, which is something that is not on the agenda.

“But maybe member states can agree on giving the European Union a more important role in coordinating their competences.”

Mr Borrell added: “This is what we’re doing here at the external services with the Ministries of Defence trying to coordinate what the military of each country can do to help face the pandemic, and acting in a coordinated way, also with NATO.”

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Brussels has been facing a backlash after its delayed common response to the pandemic, with some political analysts suggesting the EU had left worst-affected states like Italy and Spain to fend off for themselves.

Following two tense virtual meetings of EU Finance Ministers, member states appeared to come to an agreement on a response to safeguard their economies, with the European Commission tasked with drafting a Recovery Fund to help countries recover financially.

But despite the optimism following the meeting in April, the Commission later confirmed the money would likely become available only in early 2021.

The coronavirus pandemic sparked further concerns over the future of the European Union amidst a pre-existing climate of scepticism on the role of Brussels.

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A survey of 1,000 Italian adults conducted between March 12-13 found 67 percent of respondents believe EU membership is a disadvantage for their country.

The same poll also found 88 percent of those who had taken part think the European Union was not helping Italy through the crisis.

Pietro Fiocchi, an MEP for the right-wing eurosceptic Brothers of Italy party, said last month: “In recent days, the Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte reassured a truck driver by saying Italy will not receive any non-refundable monetary aid.

“The Netherlands behaves like other European nations that, while supporting fiscal dumping, prove uncompromising against the hypotheses of common European debt instruments to mitigate the impact of the profound economic crisis ahead.

“This is not the Europe we want. Just see how low the index of satisfaction of Italian citizens towards the European Union is at the moment.

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“This should force those who belong to it, especially Germany and France, to think if it is true that Italy counts on Europe.

“Would it be the same without our country especially after Brexit?”

And even supporters of the European project have admitted they fear a backlash which could lead to calls to leave the bloc.

Carlo Calenda, a former minister who also served as Italian Ambassador to the EU, admitted experiencing a crisis of faith in the institution he has spent a lifetime fighting for.

Mr Calenda, who leads the recently formed liberal Action party, said: “This is an existential threat, I am not sure if we are going to make it.

“You have to consider my party is one of the most pro-European parties in Italy and I now have members writing to me saying: ‘Why do we want to stay in the EU? It is useless.’

“A massive, massive shift is happening in Italy. You have thousands of pro-Europeans moving to this position.”

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