EU leaders clash over limits on budgets and debt
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Belgium's Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Friday June 27, 2014. European Union leaders are set to nominate former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker to become the 28-nation blocs new chief executive despite strong British opposition. The leaders at their summit Friday in Brusssels planned to elect Juncker with overwhelming majority as the candidate they will propose to the European Parliament.
EU leaders clash over limits on budgets and debt
By JUERGEN BAETZ
Associated Press
June 27, 2014 Updated 7 minutes ago
BRUSSELS With economic growth still anemic across the European Union, the bloc's leaders clashed Friday over whether to loosen rules limiting government budget deficits and debt.
Italy, Belgium and others argued more flexibility is needed so they can boost the economy and support job creation, but the more hawkish northern European nations including Germany rejected the idea.
Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo said at a meeting of EU leaders there needs to be "more flexibility, specifically for certain countries seeking to balance their budgets a few years later."
"Growth needs to be restarted to avoid hurting companies and citizens," he added.