Clarification on the application of EU rules to the debts of public authorities

Priority question for written answer  P-002167/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Marco Zanni (ID)

On the basis of national laws in Member States such as Italy, public authorities cannot pay suppliers until the liabilities have been identified by means of the internal administrative procedures for the recognition and coverage of expenditure. Until such time as this bureaucratic procedure is complete, creditors’ forced recovery procedures may be suspended, thereby interrupting payments.

In view of this, can the Commission say:

• 1.whether the counting of days past due is suspended in accordance with paragraph 18 of the European Banking Authority guidelines on the application of the definition of default under Article 178 of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 where, on the basis of provisions in Italy and other Member States, payments are suspended pending, for example, the completion of internal administrative procedures for the recognition and coverage of the expenditure of public authorities;
• 2.whether in the case of a mere suspension, overdue interest pursuant to Article 3 of Directive 2000/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 continues to accrue?