New Delhi, Dec. 31 -- Italy's Parliament on Tuesday approved the government's 2026 budget, including deficit-cutting measures.

The budget of about 22 billion euros ($25.9 billion) aims to reduce the 2026 deficit to 2.8% of gross domestic product, down from the previously targeted 3%, in line with the European Union's demands.

The conservative coalition led by Premier Giorgia Meloni won the final vote on the budget in the lower house by 216-126.

"The budget is serious and responsible, built in a challenging context, which concentrates the limited resources available on families, work, businesses and health care," Meloni wrote on X after the approval.

The budget measures have drawn criticism from the center-left opposition, which warned...