NCD Senate whip Schifani quits (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, July 19 - Renato Schifani said Tuesday that he has quit as the Senate whip for the AP-NCD group, a junior partner in Premier Matteo Renzi's coalition government, due to disagreements with party leader, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano. Schifani is a bigwig of the small group, which split from Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia in 2013 when he ex-premier tried to bring down Enrico Letta's administration.
    "I don't agree with Alfano's centrist project," Schifani told a news conference.
    "I don't feel attached to my throne or prestigious positions and I'm leaving my post as whip because I'm no in line with an operation that does not show our centre-right identity".
    Schifani said he would continue to vote with the AP-NCD group in parliament as long as he is a member, but did not ruling out leaving it in the future.