Tuscan Governor Enrico Rossi
said Monday that he was considering terminating his membership
of the Democratic Party (PD) as a split looms within the
centre-left group.
"I was just thinking of sending back my membership card to my
section, with a letter," Rossi, a leading member of a rebel
leftwing minority within the PD, told Rainews 24.
On Sunday ex-premier Matteo Renzi quit as head of the PD at a
party assembly in order to trigger the process for a new
congress, via which he is expected to seek a fresh mandate.
Renzi said that he would not let the threat of a split
"blackmail" him into backing down and not standing for the
leadership again.
Rossi, Puglia Governor Michele Emiliano and former PD House
whip Roberto Speranza accused Renzi of creating the split by not
taking account of the minority's demands.
Renzi resigned as premier in December after almost three
years in office following the rejection of his flagship
Constitutional reform in a referendum.
Several prominent members of the minority campaigned for a No
vote in the referendum.
Renzi's place was taken by current Premier Paolo Gentiloni,
also a PD member.
Rossi said Monday that an eventual splinter should continue
support Gentiloni's government.
"This question should be put to those who sit in parliament,
but I think it is normal that it (a new group) would support the
government," he told Rainews24.
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