A round-up of recent public finance news stories from Europe you might have missed.
More of EU budget misspent in 2012, say auditors
The European Union misspent €6.6bn (£5.5bn; $8.9bn) of its budget funds last year – an increase on the amount misspent in 2011, European auditors say. (BBC)
Italy public accounts improve in October as budget gap narrows
Italy posted a state sector budget deficit of €11.5bn ($15.54bn) in October, narrowing slightly from a €13bn shortfall in the same month last year, the Treasury said on Monday. (Global Post)
Serbia plans to borrow €5.8bn next year
Serbia will need to borrow 662.5bn dinars (€5.8bn) in 2014 to service debt and finance a budget deficit set at 4.6% of output, under a draft budget published on Monday. (Reuters)
Portuguese parliament backs austerity budget
Portugal’s lawmakers have given outline approval to a budget bill for 2014 that slashes spending on state pensions, public sector wages, healthcare and education. As it was presented, protesters in the public gallery chanted ‘Government out!’ before being removed by police. (Euronews)
Romania government says agrees 2014 budget with IMF and EU
Romania's leftist government has agreed a budget plan for 2014 with the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission under an aid deal, introducing new taxes but raising the minimum wage, Prime Minister Victor Ponta said on Monday. (Reuters)
