| UPDATED: 12:57, Tue, Feb 23, 2021
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The German Chancellor, who has been helming the presidency of the European Union since January, continued to follow EU procedure instead of overriding rules to get the Covid vaccine out to member states. DW political editor Michaele Kufner said: While there was pressure to act faster, DW has learned that no one around the table in Brussels has suggested a drastic step overriding EU rules. Instead Angela Merkel, at the helm of the EU presidency, stuck to EU procedure.
“The fundamental importance of this situation has been completely underestimated.”
German newspaper Bild also lashed the EU as columnist Peter Tiede claimed the contract signed with AstraZeneca was “a declaration of bankruptcy for Brussels, an indictment of the 27 member states. An insult to Europe and all of us”.
Over in France, Mr Macron faced more backlash after he incorrectly said the AstraZeneca vaccine was ineffective for people over 65
Newspaper Le Figaro pointed out the UK s success as it ran with the headline: “Vaccination: Brexit 1, Brussels 0”.
EU countries including France and Germany have trailed behind the UK in vaccinations (Image: EXPRESS)