(ANSA) - Rome, September 24 - France will hit a
deficit-to-GDP ratio of 2.8% to fund tax cuts in its budget,
Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio said Monday over a tug-of-war in
government between Economy Minister Giovanni Tria who wants to
keep the deficit at the EU-promised 1.6% and leaders who want to
breach 2%.
Di Maio, who wants to fund a basic income, said Italy had
just as much sovereignty over its economic policy as France.
"France, in order to fund its budget, will hit a deficit of
2.8%. We are a sovereign country exactly like France. The money
is there and can finally be spent in favour of citizens. In
Italy as in France".
Di Maio's fellow deputy premier and partner, Interior
Minister and League leader Matteo Salvini, wants to fund other
costly measures including a 'flat tax' and a pension overhaul.
Di Maio, who is also labour and economy minister, is the
leader of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S).
The M5S's partner is Salvini's anti-migrant Euroskeptic
League.
photo: Di Maio discusses budget against backdrop of photo of
Tria
France deficit 2.8% - Di Maio
We too are sovereign says deputy PM