Budget is credible, solid says Tria

(ANSA) - Padua, November 15 - Economy Minister Giovanni Tria on Thursday defended the government's budget plan. "We and Europe are the same thing and this will be even more so if we dialogue with conviction to define the strategy to govern transitions, regarding which our budget gives different responses to those of the past, but ones that are no less solid or credible," Tria said in Padua.
    The European Commission could open an infringement procedure after the government refused to make substantial changes to its budget plan, which sees Italy running a deficit of 2.4% of GDP next year.
    The Commission says this would lead to a breach of the Stability and Growth Pact.
    Premier Giuseppe Conte's 5-Star Movement-League government counters that an expansive budget is necessary to finance key policy pledges and boost growth. Tria said the European rules do not enable countries to combat low growth.
    "The problem of growth is a European one, which should be tackled together and not in a separate, conflictual way," Tria said. "Europe does not seem aware of the situation and seems incapable of adopting policies to combat economic slowdown".
   Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio on Thursday criticised Austria and the Netherlands after they indicated they were ready to back the European Commission if it opens an infringement procedure against Italy over its 2019 budget.
"When Austria and the Netherlands ask us to respect all the rules, they are asking for a blood-and-tears budget that is the exact opposite of what the Italian people asked from us on (general election day on) March 4," said 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Di Maio.
"We are going to keep going because the alternative is to massacre pensioners even more, massacre the unemployed even more, massacre companies even more.
"This can't be the alternative".