We'll avert EU penalties - Di Maio

(ANSA) - Rome, December 7 - Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said Friday that he was confident the government will be able to prevent the EU opening infringement proceedings over its 2019 budget. The 5-Star Movement leader said Premier Giuseppe Conte was doing "an excellent job of mediation" with the European Commission, which says the plan, featuring a deficit of 2.4% of GDP next year, breaks its budget rules. He added that the government would still deliver its main pledges, including a 'citizenship wage' basic income for job seekers and a pension overhaul to effectively bring down the retirement age by allowing people to claim a State pension when their age plus number of years of contributions add up to 100 - the so-called quota 100.
    "I think we'll bring home a budget with the quota 100, the citizenship wage and the citizenship (minimum) pension, aid for entrepreneurs and avoid the infringement procedure," Di Maio told Radio 24.