In the debt dispute with the EU, the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resists the criticism of outgoing Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The government in Rome should be given the opportunity to explain their plans, Conte told journalists today.
Juncker had previously warned that Italy was moving in an „uneasy direction“. The country runs the risk of being „in deficit procedures for years“. Conte said that Juncker had himself made mistakes in dealing with the Greek debt crisis in the past. „Before he expects us to admit that we are wrong (…), he should give us the opportunity to better explain (our policy).“
Italy is approaching criminal proceedings following a decision by EU Member States because of its high debts. The Economic and Financial Committee of the EU member states (EFC) has spoken out in favor of initiating the procedure, it was said in Brussels.
