EU signals possible sanctions against Italy

Baku. 21 November. REPORT.AZ/ The European Union intends to fine Italy in the framework of the sanction for refusing to introduce amendments to the budget, EC Deputy Chairman Valdis Dombrovskis said, Report informs citing Russian media.

It is noted that the amount of the fine remains unknown.

He said that "with what the Italian government has put on the table, we see a risk of the country sleepwalking into instability."

Dombrovskis signaled that the Commission, which supervises the budget plans of European Union member states, could start a so-called "excessive deficit procedure" over Rome's spending package. Earlier, the Italian government rejected the EU’s requirement to amend the draft budget. Italy is now threatened with a penalty procedure, which could lead to a reduction in EU assistance and heavy fines.