Premier Matteo Renzi said
Monday that while he is open to talking with opposition parties
on his reforms, there will be no quid pro quo.
"We remain open until the end for dialogue on reforms," but
trading favours is not acceptable, said Renzi, whose government
is pushing significant Constitutional reforms through
parliament.
Last week, some opposition parties walked out in protest
over the reforms that would see dramatic changes to the Italian
Senate and streamline other elements of the country's cumbersome
political machinery.
But Renzi said he is determined to press ahead, even after
the disintegration of a pact on reforms he had reached one year
ago with ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi, leader of the
centre-right Forza Italia (FI) opposition party.
That controversial pact included agreement on electoral law
reforms but was long opposed by MPs in both parties.
Renzi said he will proceed with reforms "with or without
(FI)" adding that no party, including FI, has "the right of
veto".
Meanwhile, cabinet is on course to approve a bill on
competition when it meets Friday, Renzi said.
That bill "will be a further step towards greater
liberalisation but should not be seen as an attack on the
certainties our system needs," he added.
"If we go to the notary less, it's not a problem".
Italy continues to struggle to emerge from recession, which
dates back at least six years.
But things are looking better, the premier said.
His government has helped to create the "conditions" for
Italy to be "on pole position to run the grand prix of
recovery," boasted Renzi.
And that recovery should be sustained, he added.
"(It's) not only a brief rainbow, but a prolonged period of
good weather".
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