This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7201212.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Italian PM faces early poll call Italian ex-minister in poll call
(10 minutes later)
Italy's former justice minister, who last week withdrew his party from the governing coalition, says he is in favour of holding early elections.Italy's former justice minister, who last week withdrew his party from the governing coalition, says he is in favour of holding early elections.
Clemente Mastella, who quit in a corruption probe, told reporters the coalition was "finished". Clemente Mastella, who quit in a corruption probe, told reporters the ruling coalition was "finished".
Mr Mastella said his party would vote against Romano Prodi's government if a vote of confidence was called. Mr Mastella said his Udeur party would vote against PM Romano Prodi's government in any vote of confidence.
His centrist Udeur party has three seats in the Senate, where Mr Prodi's coalition has a majority of one. Mr Mastella's centrist party has three seats in the Senate and its withdrawal has cost Mr Prodi his majority.
Before Mr Mastella's move last Thursday, the prime minister's ruling coalition had a one-seat advantage in the upper house.
'Experiment over'
Analysts say the Udeur party's support was crucial to Mr Prodi's political survival in parliament.
"If there is a vote of confidence we will vote against," Mr Mastella was quoted by Ansa news agency as telling reporters.
"The experiment with the centre-left is over. We want elections."
The 60-year-old and his wife, Sandra Lonardo, who leads the council in Italy's Campania region, are under investigation for corruption, which they deny.The 60-year-old and his wife, Sandra Lonardo, who leads the council in Italy's Campania region, are under investigation for corruption, which they deny.
Prosecutors are looking into allegations of a corrupt hospital appointment at a state hospital in Caserta near Naples. He quit last Wednesday after it emerged prosecutors were looking into allegations of a corrupt hospital appointment at a state hospital in Caserta near Naples.