Italy is set to reply Tuesday to
the European Commission's unprecedented demand for a revised
budget package.
The government has signalled it will not comply with that
demand and will instead send an unamended budget to the EC.
There have been reports, however, that Economy Minister
Giovanni Tria may scale back next year's growth forecast from
1.5% to 1.2%.
The EC's main bugbear is the 2.4% deficit-to-GDP ratio
contained in the package.
But it also says growth forecasts are optimistic.
European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said Tuesday
that the budget "must be changed, let good sense prevail".
The EC is widely expected to open infringement proceedings
which may lead to heavy fines.
photo: Tria with Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
