Italy’s economic projections at the heart of its budget are overly optimistic, and the populist coalition government is putting growth before stability, a former leading official has warned. Rome sparked anger among EU chiefs after unveiling plans for a deficit goal of 2.4 percent of GDP for 2019 – a figure that is three times the previous administration's target. Both Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, and Luigi Di Maio, leader of the Five Star Movement, have pledged massive hikes in borrowing to pay for key campaign promises, including tax cuts, a basic universal income for the poor, and a ... (full story)