Inflation requires 'more flexibility,' Italian premier tells EU Commission chief

Rising inflation requires more flexibility as it must be addressed at the EU level, the Italian prime minister told the European Commission president Wednesday, the ANSA news agency reported.

Giorgia Meloni said she is writing a letter to Ursula von der Leyen that inflation must be addressed at the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) and the EU Council, which would help families and businesses.

"We have already highlighted at ECOFIN the need to take into account the higher inflation recorded in this period when calculating the European parameters to be respected and the permitted deficit," she said via a video link during the annual event organized by the Il Gazzettino newspaper.

She said the letter will note that other member states are going in the same direction.

"We believe that, in the face of rising inflation due to global energy prices, it is necessary to grant Member States additional flexibility to support families and businesses," said Meloni.