EU in last-ditch talks with Italy and France on 2015 budget changes

European Union officials stated on 23 October 2014 that the European Commission was discussing changes with Italy and France to their 2015 draft budgets to avoid having to send back the plans that break European Union rules.

Eurozone leaders were scheduled to meet on 24 October 2014 to discuss the issue of public deficits and debt, with a particular focus on France and Italy. Ahead of the meeting, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi stirred up a row with outgoing European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who criticised his decision to publish a Commission letter warning him about the budget deficit.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Paris and Rome facing yellow card from Brussels http://www.europeansources.info/record/paris-and-rome-facing-yellow-card-from-brussels/

EUObserver, 22.10.14: EU fiscal rules won't be changed, says Juncker http://euobserver.com/news/126197

ESO: Background information: European Parliament elects Juncker Commission http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-parliament-elects-juncker-commission-european-council-appoints-the-new-commission/

EUObserver, 23.10.14: Barroso clashes with Italy over published budget warning http://euobserver.com/economic/126209

EUObserver, 24.10.14: Renzi stirs up EU row ahead of eurozone meeting http://euobserver.com/political/126232

France24, 24.10.14: Italy to reveal ‘cost of EU palaces’ in escalating budget row http://www.france24.com/en/20141024-italy-reveal-cost-eu-palaces-escalating-budget-row-renzi-hollande/

Deutsche Welle, 24.10.14: EU examines 2015 budgets, Italy peeved http://dw.de/p/1DbPd

Deutsche Welle, 23.10.14: European Commission questions Italy's 2015 budget plans http://dw.de/p/1Db7g

Huffington Post Italia, 24.10.14: Renzi takes sweet revenge on Barroso (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE152525-Renzi-takes-sweet-revenge-on-Barroso

The Local.it, 24.10.14: Renzi vows to publish cost of EU 'palaces' http://www.thelocal.it/20141024/renzi-vows-to-publish-cost-of-eu-palaces-in-budget-row

EUObserver, 28.10.14: France offers new cuts to meet Brussels' demands http://euobserver.com/political/126266

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