Former premier Silvio Berlusconi
on Friday rejected the suggestion that his selection of
businessman Alfio Marchini as Rome mayoral candidate was a step
towards a revival of a deal with Premier Matteo Renzi called the
Nazarene Pact.
"A new Nazarene Pact? Nothing is further from the truth, we
have to end the Renzi government, an illegitimate and illegal
government that is against the people's vote," Berlusconi said
on Italian radio.
"We must end the democratic emergency and a decision on
Rome does not change this stance".
Berlusconi has been accused by erstwhile allies the
Northern League and Brothers of Italy of moving towards the
centre ground with his selection of Marchini in place of former
civil protection chief Guido Bertolaso.
Berlusconi added that the centre right will lose at the
next general election if it "presents itself divided" and the
centre right needed his Forza Italia party to win.
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