Italy's govt wins confidence vote on budget measures
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s government today easily won a confidence vote in the Senate tied to measures worth €6bn that are part of the government’s budget for next year.
The government had called the confidence vote to ensure swift passage of the decree, which includes revenue-raising measures and spending cuts.
If the government had lost the vote, it would have been forced to resign.
The measures are part of the government’s effort to cut the budget deficit to 3.8% of gross domestic product next year, as agreed with the European Union.
Italian governments frequently resort to confidence votes to force through legislation by closing government ranks and brushing aside amendments.
If the government loses the vote, it must resign.
Berlusconi’s coalition enjoys a comfortable majority in both houses of parliament.
The government must approve its 2006 budget by the end of the year.
