PD adopting pragmatic, tough stance with govt - Schlein

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 3 - Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein said Sunday that her centre-left group will oppose Premier Giorgia Meloni's government with vigor while, at the same time, taking the opportunities that may arise to influence policy.
    "We are rooting for Italy and we want to have a pragmatic approach to the government but a tough one too," Schlein said at the annual Forum Ambrosetti in Cernobbio.
    "For example, we'll make sure we look at how we can intervene in the next budget law".
    She also pledged to press ahead with the bill the PD has presented with other opposition parties to introduce a minimum wage of nine euros an hour in Italy.
    Former industry minister Carlo Calenda, the leader of the opposition, centrist Azione party, told the forum that Meloni''s government had followed in the footsteps of her predecessor Mario Draghi's executive when it came to fiscal policy.
    "The Meloni government's first budget law was responsible in terms of the final balance," Calenda said.
    "Meloni put on Mario Draghi's clothes". (ANSA).