Exclusive-Italy's Meloni says public finances will be safe in her hands

Giorgia Meloni, leader of far-right Fratelli d'Italia party, poses for a picture before an interview with Reuters, in Rome, Italy, August 24, 2022. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

ROME (Reuters) - The Italian rightist alliance's ambitious spending plans will respect European Union budget rules and not blow a hole in the country's finances, the head of the party topping the polls ahead of a national election next month said.

The nationalist Giorgia Meloni, seen as the front runner to become Italy's first woman prime minister, said she wanted to focus on investments to boost Italy's chronically weak economic growth but pledged responsibility in managing its debt-laden public accounts.