A plurality of Germans thinks poor governance is the main reason for Spain and Italy's coronavirus problems. | Oscar Del Pozo/AFP via Getty Images Half of Germans blame Italy, Spain pandemic woes on ‘poor governance’: poll But majority also says Berlin should do everything it can to help Rome and Madrid tackle economic fallout.

BERLIN — Nearly half of Germans think Italy and Spain's troubles with the coronavirus crisis are mainly due to poor governance in those countries, according to an opinion poll.

The results of the survey underscore why Berlin has opposed calls from Rome, Madrid and other capitals for the EU to issue a joint debt instrument, known as corona bonds, to tackle the economic fallout from the crisis. The issue was at the heart of disagreements that prevented finance ministers from around the bloc reaching a deal on a common strategy after all-night talks earlier this week.

The online poll of 1,500 adults, carried out on April 5 and 6 by London-based Redfield & Wilton Strategies, found 45 percent of respondents agree that coronavirus problems faced by Spain and Italy are "primarily due to their poor governance." Only 22 percent disagree with the statement.

However, the survey also found that 55 percent agree that "Germany should do everything it can to help Italy and Spain with the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic."

The German government has insisted it is ready to support large amounts of EU financial assistance to tackle the crisis but it has suggested much of this should come through the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), the eurozone's bailout fund.

The poll found that 68 percent of respondents agree that Germany has given "more than enough economic assistance to other EU countries.” But 54 percent supported using the ESM "without restrictions" to manage the economic fallout from the coronavirus.

While a majority of Germans backed Berlin's policy response at home, and Chancellor Angela Merkel's handling of the crisis, some 87 percent of respondents said they are worried about the economic impact of the pandemic.