The floor of the Senate on
Tuesday approved article seven of the government's bill to
change the Constitution to overhaul Italy's political apparatus.
The bill features a controversial transformation of the
Senate into a leaner assembly of members elected via regional
votes and with limited powers to save money and make passing
legislation easier.
Article seven, which regarded the credentials for
admission for members of the revamped Upper House, passed with
166 votes in favour, 56 against and five abstentions.
The Senate has now moved on to start examining article 10
of the bill regarding legislative procedures.
Speaker Pietro Grasso has said there will be three secret
votes on amendments to this part of the bill.
The Northern League and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia
on Tuesday withdrew the amendments that they had presented to
article seven.
In exchange they asked for the government to allow other
parts of the bill, such as article 10, to be fully examined.
"We are withdrawing 35,000 amendments," said Roberto
Calderoli of the Northern League.
FI Senate Whip Paolo Romani added: "there is time to
discuss (these issues)".
The final vote in the Senate on the bill, which is going
through its third reading in parliament, is set to take place by
October 13.
Premier Matteo Renzi wants the bill to embark on its
fourth reading in parliament in January ahead of a ratification
referendum later in 2016.
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