(ANSA) - Brussels, December 17 - A European Commission
spokesperson said Monday that talks between Brussels and Rome
over Italy's budget plan for 2019 was continuing.
The Commission rejected the government's draft budget plan,
which saw Italy running a deficit of 2.4% of GDP next year to
finance key pledges and boost sluggish growth, saying it
breached EU rules.
Premier Giuseppe Conte's League-5-Star Movement (M5S)
government has proposed bring the deficit down to 2.04% to stop
the EU opening an infringement procedure.
"Dialogue between the European Commission and Italy about the
2019 budget is continuing," EC spokesperson Margaritis Schinas
said.
"Commissioners (Valdis) Dombrovskis and (Pierre) Moscovici
are in touch with (Italian Economy) Minister (Giovanni) Tria.
"The Commission will decide on the next steps on the basis on
this dialogue".
The government's budget bill will return to the Senate's
budget committee on Tuesday, a meeting of party whips decided on
Monday following a meeting of top members of the executive late
on Sunday.
As a result, the examination of the package on the floor of
the Upper House looks set to be postponed for several days.
Budget dialogue with Italy continuing-EC
Examination of bill on floor of Senate set to be postponed