Renzi faces opposition from his own party over reforms

Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi urged his party to unite behind measures he has been trying to introduce in the country, aiming at taking the Eurozone's third-biggest economy out of an economic recession which had last for three years. Mr Renzi spoke to his colleagues from the Democratic Party at a national assembly which took place in Rome on 15 December 2014.

Without support from his party members, Mr Renzi could face, according to EurActiv, tougher challenges to pass legislation just as he faced increased pressure to meet European Union debt and deficit targets.

ESO: Background information: France, Italy, Belgium to get extra three months on deficit and debt http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-still-undecided-on-france-deficit-france-italy-belgium-to-get-extra-three-months-on-deficit-and-debt/

ESO: Background information: General strike in Italy http://www.europeansources.info/record/general-strike-in-italy/

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