Italy's Renzi under fire over budget plan as EU prepares verdict

Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi gestures during a news conference at Chigi Palace in Rome March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi defended his fiscal reform plans on Wednesday against critics inside and outside his Democratic Party as the European Commission reminded Italy of its commitment to balance its budget.

Renzi, who outlined his government's Economic and Financial Document (DEF) late on Tuesday, was criticised for failing to provide detail on promised spending cuts and for using one-off revenues to help finance plans for permanent tax cuts.