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Italy's Prodi risks Senate vote Italy's Prodi risks Senate vote
(about 1 hour later)
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has asked the Senate to back his government ahead of a crucial confidence vote, as he faces calls to resign.Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has asked the Senate to back his government ahead of a crucial confidence vote, as he faces calls to resign.
Mr Prodi had been advised by President Giorgio Napolitano to avoid the vote, which he looks to be at risk of losing.Mr Prodi had been advised by President Giorgio Napolitano to avoid the vote, which he looks to be at risk of losing.
If Mr Prodi is defeated, he will be forced to step down.If Mr Prodi is defeated, he will be forced to step down.
The crisis started with the desertion of a small party in his centre-left coalition which leaves him, on paper at least, without a Senate majority.The crisis started with the desertion of a small party in his centre-left coalition which leaves him, on paper at least, without a Senate majority.
Mr Prodi won a confidence vote in the lower house on Wednesday.Mr Prodi won a confidence vote in the lower house on Wednesday.
Bu, Mr Napolitano was reported to have advised him to consider resigning instead of going ahead with Thursday's Senate vote. But, Mr Napolitano was reported to have advised him to consider resigning instead of going ahead with Thursday's Senate vote.
ITALIAN SENATE BREAKDOWN Total seats: 321Majority needed: 161Prodi's coalition: 155Berlusconi's coalition: 156Others:Life senators: 7 (4 support Prodi)Udeur: 3 (may abstain) Analysis: Chaos and betrayalITALIAN SENATE BREAKDOWN Total seats: 321Majority needed: 161Prodi's coalition: 155Berlusconi's coalition: 156Others:Life senators: 7 (4 support Prodi)Udeur: 3 (may abstain) Analysis: Chaos and betrayal
As the debate started, Mr Prodi warned that a defeat for the government would mean paralysing political action for weeks until a new coalition could be formed, or new elections held, the Associated Press reports. In a 10-minute speech to senators, Mr Prodi warned that a defeat for the government would mean paralysing political action for weeks until a new coalition could be formed, or new elections held.
It was "a luxury", he said, "that Italy cannot allow itself". "Stopping the government's work is a luxury Italy cannot afford," he said.
Before the debate, Mr Prodi told the Corriere della Sera newspaper that he wanted the vote to go ahead for the sake of the nation. He said 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.
"It's painful, but I have to do it for the country," he said. "Italians have the right to know who is in favour of my government and who is opposed." The BBC's Christian Fraser says it is possible that Mr Prodi is betting on a late rally of support.
He says some senior senators have suggested they would like a new leader on the left, but the problem is how they go about it without opening the door to former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Berlusconi's boon?Berlusconi's boon?
The crisis was sparked by the withdrawal on Monday of the centrist Udeur party - with its three seats - from Mr Prodi's ruling coalition, costing the prime minister his Senate advantage of two.The crisis was sparked by the withdrawal on Monday of the centrist Udeur party - with its three seats - from Mr Prodi's ruling coalition, costing the prime minister his Senate advantage of two.
The party pulled out, citing a lack of support for its leader, the former Justice Minister Clemente Mastella, who resigned after being named in a corruption probe. He maintains that he is innocent.The party pulled out, citing a lack of support for its leader, the former Justice Minister Clemente Mastella, who resigned after being named in a corruption probe. He maintains that he is innocent.
HAVE YOUR SAYIf Berlusconi is the other alternative, then I certainly hope Prodi can survive.Jim Bo, Sweden Send us your comments
The embattled 68-year-old premier won Wednesday's Chamber of Deputies vote by 326 votes to 275.The embattled 68-year-old premier won Wednesday's Chamber of Deputies vote by 326 votes to 275.
But his hopes of mustering enough support to carry the Senate and save his 20-month-old, centre-left coalition look increasingly forlorn, analysts say.But his hopes of mustering enough support to carry the Senate and save his 20-month-old, centre-left coalition look increasingly forlorn, analysts say.
Silvio Berlusconi, a conservative former prime minister who was defeated by Mr Prodi in 2006 elections, wants to see the premier defeated in the Senate. Mr Berlusconi, a conservative former prime minister who was defeated 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.This would trigger calls for snap elections, which polls suggest Mr Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia party could win comfortably, our correspondent says.