Italy Says It Won’t Change Budget Plans as Euro Partners Fret

Italy Says It Won’t Change Budget Plans as Euro Partners Fret
European Union and Italian flags are seen in downtown Rome, Italy, on Oct. 19, 2018. Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
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BRUSSELS/ROME—Italy will stick with its 2019 budget plan despite criticism from the European Commission but talks are continuing, Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said on Nov. 19 after attending a meeting of eurozone finance ministers.

Italy is at loggerheads with the Commission and many fellow eurozone governments over its big-spending budget. Brussels has rejected the package, saying it fails to bring down debt as required by European Union rules.