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Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, in the center, surrounded by Matteo Salvini, Minister of the Interior (on the right) and Luigi Di Maio (left), Minister of Industry, on November 22, 2018 in Rome. REUTERS / Remo Casilli
On the eve of its meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker in Brussels, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended in Parliament the fundamentals of the draft 2019 budget, while expressing his wish to continue the dialogue with the European Union and its openness to certain concessions.
With our correspondent in Rome, Anne Le Nir
For Italian Council President Giuseppe Conte, Brussels must understand that Rome is sticking to its expansionist budget " because austerity policies have not worked, " he said.
But in return for very expensive measures, such as citizenship income, he promises " an acceleration of investments for a more competitive country " and the downward revision of certain measures.
Giuseppe Conte also assures that " the reduction of the Italian debt is a common goal with Europe ".
Carpet Dealer Negotiation
For his part, Luigi Di Maio, Vice-President of the Council and Head of the 5-Star Movement, is in favor of the dialogue with Brussels. But he refuses a revision of the budget before the European elections.
As for the boss of the League, Matteo Salvini, also vice-president of the Council, he was stung by the words of the European Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, according to which " an agreement with Italy can not be the result of a negotiation of carpet merchants ".
He also stressed the respect that Brussels owes to the Italian people and, like Luigi Di Maio, excluded an amendment to the draft budget.
All '# Europa chiedo rispetto per il Popolo Italiano, visto che paghiamo ogni anno almeno 5 miliardi in più di quello che ci torna indietro.
Diritto al lavoro, diritto went to salute e allo studio, meno cup e più sicurezza: noi andiamo avanti!
Vi voglio bene Amici. pic.twitter.com/PBtLRK99yG