Premier Giuseppe Conte said that
austerity was no longer a policy option as he addressed the
Senate on Tuesday ahead of this week's European summit.
"Italy's a founding EU member and a net contributor," Conte
said after his government sent its draft budgetary plan for 2019
to the European Commission.
"On the strength of this position, we go to Brussels with an
budget that we are proud of and that we want to discuss without
prejudices.
"Austerity is a path that can no longer be taken".
The plan foresees Italy's deficit rising to 2.4% next year in
an expansive budget that seeks to boost growth.
The Commission has expressed concern that this could lead to
Italy breaching the Stability and Growth Pact.
"It is fundamentally important for our country to reduce the
growth gap with the (rest of the) EU," Conte said.
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