{Italy’s controversial ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi has returned to the centre of the political stage, striking a reform deal with a centre-left rival.}<\/p>\n
Berlusconi was thrown out of parliament in 2013 after a tax fraud conviction. <\/p>\n
But he still heads the opposition Forza Italia party and held lengthy talks with Democratic Party (PD) leader Matteo Renzi late on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Under their agreement, he will back electoral and constitutional proposals aimed at making Italy more governable.<\/p>\n
The current electoral system has left Italy with a series of shaky coalitions. <\/p>\n
Last year’s general election left no party strong enough to govern alone, until a broad coalition emerged, headed by Enrico Letta of the PD.<\/p>\n
Berlusconi, 77, was initially part of the government but later pulled out. Several key former allies abandoned him to form the New Centre Right party while he became a more marginalised figure.<\/p>\n
But he remained head of Italy’s biggest opposition faction, Forza Italia.<\/p>\n
Mr Renzi’s talks with the former centre-right prime minister have divided the coalition, and the PD in particular, whose supporters despise him, BBC Rome correspondent Alan Johnston reports.<\/p>\n
BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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