Commission is facing criticism from Germany under what is yet another Northern Europe vs Southern Europe clash.

Spain and Portugal have been given another year before the Commission will open procedures against the two countries for excessive deficit.

All EU countries have to comply with rules that dictates to keep public debt below 3% of their GDP or 60% of their total national wealth. Otherwise the country can be fined for an equivalent of 0,2% of its GDP.

Part of this decision was ma...