Italy PM Renzi's reform plans hit resistance in Senate

ROME (Reuters) - Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's plans to slash the powers of Italy's Senate, a key element of his reform agenda, have run into trouble, with opposition politicians submitting nearly 8,000 amendments to delay its approval.

The plans to reduce the upper house Senate to a small chamber made up largely of local politicians and stripped of its power to pass most national laws or hold votes of no-confidence in the government are intended to streamline lawmaking and avoid a repetition of the deadlock after last year's election.