Silvio Berlusconi’s government won a confidence vote on a bill in parliament Tuesday, bringing temporary relief to the Italian premier after crushing defeats in local elections and a round of referendums.
The govt had turned a vote on a law for minor economic reforms into a show of confidence in the lower house, as Berlusconi prepared to reassure his supporters of his leadership in a speech to parliament later on Tuesday.
In the 44th confidence vote since the premier’s People of Freedom party came to power in 2008, the bill — which includes tax breaks and investment incentives — was adopted by 317 votes to 293 with two abstentions.
