The Italian authorities said they were not ready to make changes to the draft state budget for 2019, as this could have a negative impact on the interests of citizens. Yesterday, the European Commission for the second time rejected the draft state budget, indicating that it implies a departure from the previously initiated reforms, in particular in the field of pensions.
In response to this, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte stated that Europe and Italy have a common goal, to reduce the national debt and that the European Commission perceives the position of Italy as a kind of rebellion against the EU, only "inventions of the European side".
G. Conte expressed hope for a constructive dialogue with the head of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, regarding the harmonization of the draft budget at a meeting on November 24 in Brussels.
