EC decision on flexibility request postponed to spring (2)

(ANSA) - Brussels, November 17 - The European Commission has postponed a decision on whether to allow Italy to use a flexibility clause in its budget rules until spring, when Premier Matteo Renzi's budget law will be re-assessed, ANSA sources said Tuesday. The EU will evaluate whether the requested deviations "were actually used to increase investments" and whether "a credible adjustment plan" exits to take Italy towards a balanced budget. "Progress on (structural) reforms" will be reviewed too, the sources said.