rome italy government approve monday low-key 2018 budget include measure raise youth employment tackle poverty encourage investments ahead election spring financial package aim low budget deficit 1.6 percent gross domestic product gdp target 2.1 percent year avoid painful pre-election belt-tightening measure prime minister paolo gentiloni task make easy stronger-than-expected economic growth low interest rat reduce cost service italy huge public debt high euro zone greece s. budget certify italian economy turn point contain resources aim reinforce turnaround economy minister pier carlo padoan tell reporters package send european commission review time begin passage parliament must approve end year likely one last piece legislation pass parliament president dissolve upper low house call election last month government increase gdp growth forecast year 1.5 percent 1.1 percent hike next year outlook 1.5 percent 1.0 percent debt-to-gdp ratio target edge 2018 130.0 percent target 131.6 percent year overall budget expansionary accord treasury estimate current policies leave unchanged deficit would fall 1.0 percent gdp next year rather 1.6 percent however italy constrain massive debt preclude give-away pre-election package resources available use avoid increase sales tax previously pencil next year padoan say measure might seem modest well target gentiloni typically understate tone call slim budget useful economy european commission expect sign package even though italy hike deficit target previously agree brussels do repeatedly recent years public finance dispute brussels may intensify next year election main party say raise budget deficit rather reduce european union fiscal rule prescribe effort tackle youth unemployment rate almost 40 percent budget offer 3-year reduction pension contributions company hire people age 35 regular open-ended contract also offer tax break firm invest new machinery increase income support poor set aside fund raise public salaries first time almost decade hire 1,500 university researchers padoan say extra revenue state come partial amnesty people settle tax dispute authorities pay discount sum gentiloni appeal parliament show sense responsibility approve budget leftist group last week say could long count support follow political row new electoral law however majority likely find back budget clear way elections widely expect march italy present low-key budget ahead 2018 elections