With the death rate continuing to grow and the economy on the brink of collapse, some voters have begun to question Italy’s membership of the 27-member bloc. COVID-19 has plunged Italy into its most severe crisis since World War 2, with more than 15,000 deaths from coronavirus and its economy set to suffer the deepest recession in its modern history. Rome has begged for help but its desperate pleas have fallen on death ears as rich northern member states, like Germany and the Netherlands, reject efforts to deliver financial aid.