Senate approves art.7 of reform bill

(ANSA) - Rome, October 6 - 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.