Sources at Premier Giuseppe
Conte's office said Wednesday that the government has put its
proposal for an agreement with the European Commission on its
2019 budget plan "in black and white".
Conte is meeting European Commission President Jean-Claude
Juncker for crunch talks as Rome seeks to avert the danger of
the EC opening an infringement procedure over the budget.
The sources said the government was going into the meeting
with the conviction that it has "good reasons" to reach an
agreement.
The optimism is fuelled by the likelihood that Italy's
argument will be strengthened by the fact that France looks set
to breach the EU's 3% deficit-to-GDP threshold after President
Emmanuel Macron announced new measures to alleviate hardship
following weeks of violent protests.
The European Commission has rejected Rome's budget plan for
2019, which sees Italy running a deficit of 2.4% of GDP next
year, saying it breaks EU rules.
Conte's 5-Star Movement (M5S)-League executive has said an
expansive budget is needed to finance key pledges and boost
sluggish growth.
Bloomberg reported that Italy will propose a deficit of 2%,
rather than 2.4%.
Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini,
meanwhile, said Rome would not accept the Commission treating
France and Italy differently.
"The music will change if there were prejudice against Italy
while a blind eye is closed for others," Salvini said.
President Sergio Mattarella said he hopes the government
reaches an agreement with the European Commission over its
budget plans during a working lunch with Conte and other
ministers on Wednesday, sources said.
The head of State said an EU infringement procedure would
create major problems for Italy's economy, the sources said.
The discussion also turned to the EU budget and concerns that
some reform proposals could damage Italy.
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