The deputy secretary of Italy's
governing Democratic Party (PD), Debora Serracchiani, said on
Thursday that the cabinet had "the numbers" to push through
planned reforms despite the end of a deal between the PD and
Silvio Berlusconi's opposition Forza Italia party.
"We have the numbers and we will go ahead", she said after
spokesmen for both parties announced on Wednesday that the
agreement had crumbled.
And tension was reportedly high between the PD and Forza
Italia over an amendment of the 'Milleproporighe' decree drafted
by the government on digital TV frequencies under which
Berlusconi's Mediaset, along with State broadcaster RAI, would
have to pay 50 million euros, according to the center-right
opposition sources.
Under the amendment, the 50 million euros would be pledged
to other operators, according to the sources
The move on Thursday was perceived by some as a consequence
of the broken agreement - the so-called Nazareno pact forged a
year ago by Premier Matteo Renzi and Berlusconi to pass election
reforms.
The 'Milleproroghe' decree traditionally follows the annual
budget and contains a number of measures that needed to be
passed before the end of the year.
The amendment, which was discussed on Thursday by the Lower
House's Budget and Constitutional Affairs Committees, will be
reportedly examined again next week.
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