The move paves the way for the actual opening of the proceedings next month, but Brussels insisted that the process could be blocked if Rome made sufficient fiscal commitments.
Italy averted the same procedure in December after a last-minute deal with the Commission in which Rome committed to a lower deficit this year - but Italian government officials now seem less prone to compromise after EU Parliament elections in May gave co-ruling far-right League a resounding win.
More about: European-Union European-Commission Italy
