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/7208000.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Prodi loses crucial Senate vote Prodi resigns after losing vote
(30 minutes later)
The Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, has lost a confidence vote in the Senate and is to hand in his resignation to the president. The Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, has resigned after being defeated in a vote of confidence in the upper house of parliament, the Senate.
He won 156 votes in the upper house, with 161 against and one abstention. Mr Prodi, who had led his centre-left coalition for 20 months, was defeated by five votes, despite the support of several unelected lifetime senators.
Mr Prodi, who led his centre-left coalition for 20 months, has arrived at the presidential palace to resign to Giorgio Napolitano. President Giorgio Napolitano must now choose whether to call a snap election or appoint a caretaker prime minister.
Mr Napolitano now has the choice of calling a snap election or naming someone to lead a caretaker government. Former PM Silvio Berlusconi is regarded as well placed to win an early poll.
Correspondents say the centre-right opposition alliance led by the former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, is regarded as well placed to win an early poll. Following the Senate vote, Mr Berlusconi, whose centre-right alliance was defeated by Mr Prodi in the 2006 election, announced a surprise party at his house in Rome.
'Political vacuum''Political vacuum'
Mr Prodi won a confidence vote in the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, but had been widely expected to resign rather than risk a humiliating defeat in the Senate, with many commentators saying he had no chance of winning.Mr Prodi won a confidence vote in the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, but had been widely expected to resign rather than risk a humiliating defeat in the Senate, with many commentators saying he had no chance of winning.
The loss of the small, centrist Udeur party's three seats in the upper house left him without a majority and requiring the support of several unelected life senators.The loss of the small, centrist Udeur party's three seats in the upper house left him without a majority and requiring the support of several unelected life senators.
Stopping the government's work is a luxury Italy cannot afford Romano Prodi Analysis: Chaos and betrayalProfile: Romano ProdiStopping the government's work is a luxury Italy cannot afford Romano Prodi Analysis: Chaos and betrayalProfile: Romano Prodi
Udeur pulled out, citing a lack of support for its leader, the former Justice Minister Clemente Mastella, who resigned after he and his wife were named in a corruption probe. They maintain they are innocent.Udeur pulled out, citing a lack of support for its leader, the former Justice Minister Clemente Mastella, who resigned after he and his wife were named in a corruption probe. They maintain they are innocent.
President Napolitano is reported to have advised Mr Prodi to consider resigning so the vote could be avoided.President Napolitano is reported to have advised Mr Prodi to consider resigning so the vote could be avoided.
In an impassioned speech before the vote, Mr Prodi warned that a defeat for the government would mean a paralysing political vacuum for weeks until a new coalition could be formed, or new elections held. In an impassioned speech before the vote, Mr Prodi warned that a defeat for the government would mean a paralysing "political vacuum" for weeks until a new coalition could be formed, or new elections held.
"Stopping the government's work is a luxury Italy cannot afford," he said."Stopping the government's work is a luxury Italy cannot afford," he said.
Nuccio Cusumano (centre) fainted after reports of abuse and spittingNuccio Cusumano (centre) fainted after reports of abuse and spitting
He said that the country needed continuity and backing the government would allow it to deal "urgently" with electoral reform, economic renewal and its role in international affairs.He said that the country needed continuity and backing the government would allow it to deal "urgently" with electoral reform, economic renewal and its role in international affairs.
At one stage it seemed he had won a much-needed defection when Udeur senator Nuccio Cusumano announced he was breaking with his party to back the government.At one stage it seemed he had won a much-needed defection when Udeur senator Nuccio Cusumano announced he was breaking with his party to back the government.
The move forced a brief suspension of the session after shouts that the senator was a "traitor" and a "clown" and one senator made a hand gesture as if to shoot Mr Cusumano.The move forced a brief suspension of the session after shouts that the senator was a "traitor" and a "clown" and one senator made a hand gesture as if to shoot Mr Cusumano.
Mr Cusumano was reportedly spat on, and then fainted, before being carried out on a stretcher.Mr Cusumano was reportedly spat on, and then fainted, before being carried out on a stretcher.
At the end of the session, however, Mr Prodi's government fell four votes short of the 160 it needed to survive. At the end of the session, however, Mr Prodi's government fell four votes short of the 160 it needed to survive, with 161 senators voting against and one abstention.
Electoral systemElectoral system
The BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome says that Italy's president must now decide what happens now.The BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome says that Italy's president must now decide what happens now.
HAVE YOUR SAYIf Berlusconi is the other alternative, then I certainly hope Prodi can survive.Jim Bo, Sweden Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYIf Berlusconi is the other alternative, then I certainly hope Prodi can survive.Jim Bo, Sweden Send us your comments
There is widespread agreement among several senior senators - even among the prime minister's opponents - that the country needs new electoral laws, he says.There is widespread agreement among several senior senators - even among the prime minister's opponents - that the country needs new electoral laws, he says.
Under the current system rushed in by Mr Berlusconi, smaller parties with a handful of seats hold the balance of power.Under the current system rushed in by Mr Berlusconi, smaller parties with a handful of seats hold the balance of power.
But others, particularly the former prime minister's Forza Italia party, which is leading the polls, insist an election is the only way forward, he adds. Mr Napolitano is thought to favour appointing an interim government of technocrats to force through such reforms.
Whatever happens, our correspondent says, Italy is facing a period of political instability at a time when it can ill afford it. But other politicians, particularly those belonging to Mr Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, which is leading the polls, insist an election is the only way forward, he adds.