Matteo Renzi in attack mode ahead of vote

Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, facing a key referendum at home later this year, accused Germany, France and Spain of breaking European Union rules on deficit control and spending.

Nations “will have to justify themselves for failing to respect the rules,” he said.

“The size of Spain’s deficit is twice ours, France does not even respect the Maastricht Treaty — having a deficit still over 3% of GDP — Germany breaks the trade surplus rule.”