With €500bn committed to fighting virus, EU leaders divided over €1.5tn relief package

Opposition to such a major debt sharing deal was led by Germany, Austria and Holland

European leaders remained divided over the need for a significant EU-wide response to the Covid-19 crisis, and failed to approve a major €1.5tn rescue package demanded by Spain.

Leaders endorsed the package recently agreed by the Eurogroup - worth up to €500bn - and asked that it be made operational by June 1.