The Italian Deputy Prime Minister said on Thursday that his party would leave the government if their coalition partner introduces measures for same-sex marriage.

Angelino Alfano said his New Centre Right party would “bolt for the door”, if the Democratic Party, which leads the coalition with themselves and the Civil Party, introduces equal marriage.

Alfano said: “If they propose gay marriage, we’ll bolt for the door, denouncing the move before the public.”

The Prime Minister and head of the Democratic Party Enrico Letta, began talks on Tuesday with the other two parties on a policy pact for 2014.

The head of the Democratic Party has propose recognising civil partnerships for both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples.