The Lower House on Tuesday
approved center-left Premier Matteo Renzi's signature Jobs Act
labour reform bill with 316 in favor, six against and five
abstaining.
The victory for Renzi came after some dissenters from
within his Democratic Party (PD) earlier looked set to join
opposition parties' efforts to ambush the bill in spite of
extensive talks within the ruling majority.
Thirty Lower House MPs from Premier Matteo Renzi's
center-left Democratic Party (PD) had signed a written statement
explaining why would abstain from the final vote.
In spite of amendments made after extensive debate, the
changes to the bill are still not enough, they said.
Earlier still, ex PD chief Pier Luigi Bersani, one of the
bill's most vocal opponents, stated he would vote in favor "out
of party discipline" although parts of the proposed legislation
leave him "unconvinced".
The statement by the party's one-time secretary-general and
ex-premier of Italy was followed by "one last appeal for party
unity" by PD President Matteo Orfini.
"I hope everyone will make one last effort out of respect
for the all work we've done and for our community," he said.
During floor debate, a group of FIOM metalworker union
members tried to stage a protest from the public's section of
the Lower House, but were pushed back by security.
The bill now returns to the Senate for what should be its
final reading.
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