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Italian PM faces confidence vote Italian PM faces key Senate vote
(about 3 hours later)
The Italian Senate is to hold a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Romano Prodi's nine-month-old government, which is expected to be tight. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has urged senators to back him ahead of a crucial confidence vote.
Mr Prodi lost a foreign policy vote last week, but was asked to stay on by President Giorgio Napolitano. The move comes a week after Mr Prodi was defeated in a foreign policy vote, prompting the government to stand down.
On Tuesday, Mr Prodi asked the senators to renew their confidence in him and allow him to relaunch his government's programme with "even more fervour". His coalition partners, ranging from ex-Communists to former Christian Democrats, have since closed ranks.
He defended his foreign policy, which includes keeping troops in Afghanistan. But the result is expected to be close, as the Senate is almost evenly split between the governing centre-left and the conservative opposition.
"The coalition has reached a strong, cohesive agreement," Mr Prodi told the Senate shortly before the vote.
"We have the firm intention of moving forward."
Despite the government having only a one seat majority in the Senate, it seems that several independent senators have agreed to support Mr Prodi in Wednesday's vote, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.Despite the government having only a one seat majority in the Senate, it seems that several independent senators have agreed to support Mr Prodi in Wednesday's vote, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.
Click here to see a breakdown of seats in the SenateClick here to see a breakdown of seats in the Senate
In Tuesday's speech, Mr Prodi acknowledged the deep differences of opinion on Afghanistan. In a speech on Tuesday, Mr Prodi acknowledged deep differences between coalition partners on Afghanistan.
In a nod to the far left who have opposed the refinancing of the mission, he said the government was aware that a military presence was not the only solution to Afghanistan's problems, our correspondent says. In a nod to the far left who have opposed the refinancing of the mission, he said the government was aware that a military presence was not the only solution to Afghanistan's problems.
He also avoided any references to a government plan to give legal rights to gay and unmarried couples, which have angered the Vatican and Catholic politicians in the centre.He also avoided any references to a government plan to give legal rights to gay and unmarried couples, which have angered the Vatican and Catholic politicians in the centre.
Instead, he vowed to help families and increase job security.Instead, he vowed to help families and increase job security.
Electoral reformElectoral reform
Mr Prodi also promised a reform of the electoral system, which has been blamed for contributing to the country's political instability by giving too much influence to small parties.Mr Prodi also promised a reform of the electoral system, which has been blamed for contributing to the country's political instability by giving too much influence to small parties.
Electoral reform is "an absolute priority that needs to involve all of the political elements", he said.Electoral reform is "an absolute priority that needs to involve all of the political elements", he said.
If he survives the vote, Mr Prodi is then expected to face a confidence vote on Friday in the lower house, where he has a comfortable majority. After losing the foreign policy vote last week, Mr Prodi was asked to stay on by President Giorgio Napolitano.
If he survives the vote, the prime minister is then expected to face a confidence vote on Friday in the lower house, where he has a comfortable majority.
If he loses, the government will have to resign, which could lead to early elections for what would be Italy's 62nd post-war government.If he loses, the government will have to resign, which could lead to early elections for what would be Italy's 62nd post-war government.
BALANCE OF POWER IN ITALIAN SENATE AFTER 2006 ELECTIONS Further detail of Centre-left seats (others) Italy of Values - 4 seatsPopular-UDEUR - 3 seatsThe Union - South Tyrolean People's Party - 3 seatsSouth Tyrolean People's Party - 2 seatsConsumers' List - 1 seatOlive Tree - 1 seatAutonomy Liberty Democracy - 1 seatThe Union (abroad) - 4 seatsBALANCE OF POWER IN ITALIAN SENATE AFTER 2006 ELECTIONS Further detail of Centre-left seats (others) Italy of Values - 4 seatsPopular-UDEUR - 3 seatsThe Union - South Tyrolean People's Party - 3 seatsSouth Tyrolean People's Party - 2 seatsConsumers' List - 1 seatOlive Tree - 1 seatAutonomy Liberty Democracy - 1 seatThe Union (abroad) - 4 seats
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