Italy looks to cut 2019 growth forecast to get an EU budget deal

Italy’s economy minister is looking to revise down the budget’s growth forecast for next year to convince the EU that Italy would not go above a deficit of 2.4 percent of GDP in 2019, a source told Reuters on Sunday.

In early October, Italy revised up its growth forecasts, with 2019 gross domestic product growth estimated at 1.5 percent, according to Reuters.

The Commission rejected Italy’s fiscal plan for 2019 last month and may start disciplinary steps against Rome later this month.