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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Italian Govt. on Brink of Collapse

PM faces no-confidence vote after allies withdraw support

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(Newser) – The Italian government looks set to collapse after a key ally unexpectedly withdrew his support from Romano Prodi's coalition yesterday. The PM will face a no-confidence vote tomorrow, and if he loses, the president will have to decide whether to give Prodi another mandate or dissolve parliament and call early elections. "I will not discuss. It’s over," said the instigator of the collapse.

The latest crisis for Prodi's perpetually embattled government arose after Clemente Mastella, the justice minister, resigned in the face of a corruption probe. Mastella's tiny party, which has only three senate seats, then ended its support for the government, depriving Prodi of a majority. The president has indicated he might appoint an interim government to sort out election law ahead of any new voting.

Italian Premier Romano Prodi gestures during an interview with Associated Press in Palazzo Chigi premier office Tuesday Jan. 8, 2008.
Italian Premier Romano Prodi gestures during an interview with Associated Press in Palazzo Chigi premier office Tuesday Jan. 8, 2008.   (Associated Press)
Italian Premier Romano Prodi reflects after he delivered his speech at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Thursday, Jan 17, 2008. Prodi took over as interim as Justice Minister Clemente Mastella confirmed he was resigning, after reports that his wife, an official in the southern Campania's region, was being investigated for...
Italian Premier Romano Prodi reflects after he delivered his speech at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Thursday, Jan 17, 2008. Prodi took over as interim as Justice Minister Clemente Mastella confirmed he...   (Associated Press)
An unidentified lawmaker holds a banner reading
An unidentified lawmaker holds a banner reading "elections" at the end of Italian Premier Romano Prodi's speech at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Thursday, Jan 17, 2008. Prodi took over as interim as Justice...   (Associated Press)
Italian Premier Romano Prodi adjusts his glasses at the end of his speech at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Thursday, Jan 17, 2008. Prodi took over as interim as Justice Minister Clemente Mastella confirmed he was resigning, after reports that his wife, an official in the southern Campania's region, was...
Italian Premier Romano Prodi adjusts his glasses at the end of his speech at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Thursday, Jan 17, 2008. Prodi took over as interim as Justice Minister Clemente Mastella confirmed...   (Associated Press)
Italy's Justice minister Clemente Mastella leaves the Italian lower chamber, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, Rome, italy. Mastella said he was resigning following a corruption probe involving his wife, putting further strain on Premier Romano Prodi's shaky government. However, the resignation by Clemente Mastella, head of a small centrist party, was...
Italy's Justice minister Clemente Mastella leaves the Italian lower chamber, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, Rome, italy. Mastella said he was resigning following a corruption probe involving his wife, putting...   (Associated Press)
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