Italy seeks EU nod to use fiscal leeway to help families, not just green transition

Italy is in ​talks with the European Commission ​to use part ‌of the ​budget leeway provided by the so-called "National Escape Clause" (NEC) to help families cope with surging ‌energy costs, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on Tuesday.

The NEC allows EU countries to temporarily hike deficits to lift defence spending ‌and to pay for investment that helps the transition from ‌fossil fuels to green energy.