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Embattled Italy PM backed by MPs | Embattled Italy PM backed by MPs |
(10 minutes later) | |
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has won a first vote of confidence in the lower chamber of parliament. | Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has won a first vote of confidence in the lower chamber of parliament. |
The government won the Chamber of Deputies by 326 votes against 275. | The government won the Chamber of Deputies by 326 votes against 275. |
But all eyes are on the Senate, where the loss of a small allied party has cost Mr Prodi his majority. A vote there has been set for Thursday. | But all eyes are on the Senate, where the loss of a small allied party has cost Mr Prodi his majority. A vote there has been set for Thursday. |
Mr Prodi has been urged to resign before then, correspondents say. Earlier, the president advised him not to submit himself to a Senate vote. | Mr Prodi has been urged to resign before then, correspondents say. Earlier, the president advised him not to submit himself to a Senate vote. |
The crisis was sparked by the withdrawal on Monday of the centrist Udeur party - and its three seats - from Mr Prodi's ruling coalition, costing the prime minister his Senate majority of one. | |
'Reprieve' | 'Reprieve' |
Udeur party leader and former justice minister, Clemente Mastella, pulled out after being forced to quit last week following his implication in a corruption inquiry. | Udeur party leader and former justice minister, Clemente Mastella, pulled out after being forced to quit last week following his implication in a corruption inquiry. |
Three other senators, including the former Prime Minister, Lamberto Dini, urged Mr Prodi to quit on Wednesday to avoid holding the Senate vote. | Three other senators, including the former Prime Minister, Lamberto Dini, urged Mr Prodi to quit on Wednesday to avoid holding the Senate vote. |
Polls suggest a snap election could see a Silvio Berlusconi comeback | |
The BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome says the lower house vote was a reprieve for Mr Prodi. | The BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome says the lower house vote was a reprieve for Mr Prodi. |
Our correspondent says there are always shifting loyalties in Italian politics and plenty of phone calls are no doubt being made to try to muster support - but it looks increasingly unlikely the prime minister can win in the Senate. | Our correspondent says there are always shifting loyalties in Italian politics and plenty of phone calls are no doubt being made to try to muster support - but it looks increasingly unlikely the prime minister can win in the Senate. |
Silvio Berlusconi, the conservative former prime minister who was beaten by Mr Prodi in 2006 elections, wants to see the premier defeated in the Senate. | |
This would trigger calls for snap elections, which polls suggest Mr Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia party could win comfortably, our correspondent says. | |
He says the other more likely option, favoured by President Giorgio Napolitano, is a caretaker government capable of bringing all these different sides together to force through much needed electoral reforms, before a future election is held. | He says the other more likely option, favoured by President Giorgio Napolitano, is a caretaker government capable of bringing all these different sides together to force through much needed electoral reforms, before a future election is held. |