Renzi won't 'bow to blackmail' on reform

(ANSA) - Rome, February 13 - Premier Matteo Renzi said Friday that he was not concerned by threats to boycott voting in the Lower House by opposition politicians angry with his government's Constitutional reform bill.
    And in a post on his Twitter feed late in the day, he pledged to hold a referendum that will ultimately decide the fate of reforms to streamline lawmaking by scrapping the Senate.
    "The reform will be put to a referendum. We'll see if people are with us or with the 'No' committee led by (opposition legislators) Brunetta, Salvini and Grillo," Renzi tweeted.
    Earlier, he dismissed walkouts and other threats from the opposition legislators.
    "If the threat is that you'll vote for them (the reforms) alone, that's their problem," Renzi told legislators from his centre-left Democratic Party (PD) after tension in the Lower House triggered scuffles earlier among some parliamentarians.
    "If obstructionism blocks the right of the ruling majority to pass reforms, it's the end," added Renzi, who met his PD caucus late Friday evening.
    The premier, who took office only one year ago, said he would not be bullied by ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi with whom he had had a deal on reforms including changes to the country's discredited election law.
    But that deal recently crumbled amid anger over Renzi's support for new Italian president Sergio Mattarella whose nomination was opposed by Berlusconi, leader of the centre-right Forza Italia (FI).
    "I didn't let myself be blackmailed by Berlusconi over the election of the new president and I won't let (M5S leader Beppe) Grillo blackmail me over the reforms," added a defiant Renzi.
    "I don't let anyone blackmail me or take me for a ride".
    FI Whip Renato Brunetta was equally dramatic.
    "For the love of God, think again," Brunetta exclaimed during debate on the Constitution reforms.
    Several opposition parties walked out for a time on Friday to register their protest.
    Renzi accused opposition parties of being more interested in halting his executive than in improving Italy. "The opposition's design is not to improve Italy, but to slow and block us," Renzi said.
    "We sought mediation everywhere. Now we're at a crossroads".
    The controversial bill, which includes a transformation of the Upper House into a leaner assembly of local-government representatives with limited lawmaking powers to make passing legislation easier, is bitterly contested by many.
    The House began non-stop 'river' sessions which limit MPs' ability to file amendments as a way to combat obstructionist tactics used by opponents to the reform.
    This further soured the already tense climate and at one stage, MPs for Renzi's PD and members of the opposition Left, Ecology and Freedom (SEL) group stood on the benches and squared off. After the incident, two SEL MPs, Gianni Melilla and Donatella Duranti, sought treatment for minor injuries. PD House whip Roberto Speranza said the governing majority was ready to press on.
    "If it's a choice between voting on the reforms alone or blocking the legislation, I think it's better to vote alone," he said.
    "But we'll do everything to stop that happening".