The Italian government is set to
request the green light for a deviation of 6.3 billion euros
from its budget deficit target, around 0.35% of GDP, from the
European Commission as it tries to cope with the coronavirus,
government sources said after a cabinet meeting.
The government is preparing to set aside 7.5 billion euros
worth of new measures, the sources said.
European Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said
Thursday that the EU executive will assess Italy's request for
extra flexibility in the application of its budget rules because
of the coronavirus emergency with a "spirit of great attention
and great solidarity".
Gentiloni said he expects to receive the letter with the
request on Thursday or Friday.
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