Italy's PM Conte says deficit/GDP can fall to 2.2% in 2019

Italy's budget deficit can fall to 2.2 per cent of gross domestic product this year, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday, compared with a 2.4 per cent government forecast. Italy is trying to avoid the launch of a disciplinary procedure by the European Commission over its deteriorating public finances.

Conte said such a procedure would be harmful to both Italy and the eurozone.