[Voice of Europe] As people have sought to place the responsibility for the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic, many culprits have been found. Some, including national leaders such as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and US President Donald Trump, have pointed to mass immigration, which eased the virus’ spread, and globalisation, which has hampered the ability of many countries to produce needed medical supplies themselves. But the United Kingdom’s former Prime Minister, Theresa May, says it is in fact nationalism that is to blame.
In an editorial she published in The Times on Wednesday entitled "Nationalism is No Ally in This Battle without Borders," May unequivocally pointed her finger at populist nationalism while praising international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).
"Against a backdrop of populist politics in many countries, the search for political solutions to economic and social challenges has become a competition of absolutes," May wrote. "A polarised politics has taken hold. It views the world through a prism of winners and losers and sees compromise and co-operation as signs of weakness." |