Italy's Conte defends deficit hike, says economy needs a lift
ROME, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Giuseppe Contedefended on Monday Italy's 2019 budget, which has fallen foul ofthe European Commission, saying the failure of previous effortsto stimulate the economy meant a new approach was needed.
In a wide-ranging news conference, Conte said he wantedconstructive dialogue with the Commission over the contestedfiscal package, and predicted that growth would "take off" oncegovernment reforms were implemented.
He pledged that next year's deficit would not exceed 2.4percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and dismissed anysuggestion that Italy might have to abandon the euro currency orleave the European Union.
(Reporting by Gavin Jones and Giselda Vagnoni; Writing byCrispian Balmer; Editing by Giulia Segreti)
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