Senate approves art. 17 of reform bill

(ANSA) - Rome, October 7 - The floor of the Senate on Wednesday approved article 17 of the government's Constitutional reform bill, regarding the Lower House declaring war. It was okayed with 153 votes in favour, 107 against and nine abstentions. However, 14 members of Premier Matteo Renzi's Democratic Party bucked party orders and voted in favour of an amendment tabled by one of them, Nerina Dirindin. The rejected amendment said that an "absolute majority" of MPs should be needed for a declaration of war. Five other PD lawmakers did not vote, but the government was helped by 28 votes from members of Silvio Berlusconi's opposition Forza Italia (FI).