The Netherlands is one of nine EU countries facing European Commission action over its budget deficit at the end of this year, the NRC reports on Tuesday.

EU Commissioner Joaquin Almunia made the announcement after a meeting of eurozone finance ministers on Monday, the paper says.
The Dutch budget deficit is set to mount to over the EU stability pact limit of 3% this year because of measures taken to stimulate the economy.
The paper says Almunia wants to be flexible in how EU rules are applied because of the financial crisis.