Civic Democrats to seek compromise on tax bill

A controversial government bill on tax hikes which was earlier rejected by the lower house is going back for a repeat vote linked to a vote of confidence in the center- right government. The prime minister is still hoping to reach agreement with the six rebel deputies from his own party who scuppered the legislation and remain vehemently opposed to the proposed hike in VAT. The threat of the government falling is not imminent however since the deputies in question have agreed to support the bill in its first reading and propose changes later. This gives the prime minister an extra thirty days in which to come up with a compromise solution.