ROME, Oct 1 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Italy is seeking greater flexibility under European Union budget rules to cope with the impact of rising inflation driven by energy costs, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Wednesday, reported Xinhua.
Speaking at an event organised by Italian newspaper Il Gazzettino, Meloni said she would write to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to raise the issue at upcoming EU meetings.
Meloni said Italy plans to spend 14 billion euros (US$16 billion) over two years to reduce energy costs for businesses, using the EU's national escape clause from fiscal rules.
She called for taking into account higher inflation when calculating parameters for permitted budget deficits, saying the issue would be discussed at EU finance ministers' and leaders' meetings in October.
Italy's annual inflation rate rose to 4.1 per cent in September from 3.2 per cent in August, according to the report.
--BERNAMA-XINHUA
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