Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
Newser - Current News - Breaking Stories

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Prodi's Choice: Resign Today or Lose Tonight

Posted Jan 24, 08 6:35 CST in World 

(Newser) – Italy's PM Romano Prodi may resign today rather than face defeat in a confidence vote scheduled for late this evening. After this week's defection of a small coalition party deprived Prodi of his one-seat Senate majority, his government looks set to fall. A handful of left-wing senators have also said they will vote against the government, leaving Prodi to decide whether to go through with the vote or throw in the towel.

The crisis arose after Prodi's justice minister stepped down in the face of corruption allegations, taking his small but crucial bloc of votes with him. The president has asked Prodi to resign rather than go ahead with the vote, but several ministers have said the PM will hold out and face defeat. With early elections all but a certainty, recent opinion polls have given the Italian right, led by Silvio Berlusconi, a double-digit lead.
Sources:: AFP, Associated Press, Reuters

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Berlusconi Under Fire for Obama 'Suntanned' Joke

    Nov 6, 08 5:30 PM CST
    Berlusconi Under Fire for Obama 'Suntanned' Joke Silvio Berlusconi is in a bit of a pickle after calling Barack Obama “handsome, young, and suntanned,” the London Times reports. Political opponents in Italy called on the gaffe-prone prime minister to apologize. “To say that the US president is young, good looking, and suntanned will sound offensive to many, and charged with dangerous ambiguity,” said one. More »

  • Berlusconi Breaks Podium at Rowdy White House Soiree

    Oct 14, 08 10:15 CDT
    Berlusconi Breaks Podium at Rowdy White House Soiree Affairs don't get much more formal than a White House official dinner, but last night's reception in honor of Silvio Berlusconi had all the seriousness of a frat party. The Italian prime minister was so excited to toast President Bush that he knocked into the lectern, which collapsed in pieces. His response? He picked up the top of the podium and kept speaking into the attached microphones.
    More »

  • Italy's National Airline Could Shut Down Within Week

    Sep 22, 08 2:19 PM CDT
    Italy's National Airline Could Shut Down Within Week Italy’s aviation authority is poised to ground Alitalia permanently if the bankrupt national carrier doesn’t present a credible reorganization plan by Thursday, ANSA reports. The airline is laden with debt and flying under a provisional license, one the aviation authority will revoke if it doesn’t get an acceptable proposal.
    More »

  • Italians Impatient With Alitalia Rescue Efforts

    Jul 4, 08 5:33 PM CDT
    Italians Impatient With Alitalia Rescue Efforts Fed up with government efforts to resuscitate Alitalia, many Italians think Rome needs to face reality and let the airline die, Bloomberg reports. PM Silvio Berluconi characterizes Alitalia’s survival as “a matter of national security,” but it hasn't turned a profit in nearly a decade. The latest plan for Alitalia is a restructuring scheme by Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s second-largest bank. More »

  • Italy Calls In Shrinks for Garbage Crisis

    Jul 3, 08 8:50 PM CDT
    Italy Calls In Shrinks for Garbage Crisis Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has a “final solution" to Naples' trash problem—and it includes psychologists, Der Spiegel reports. Naples, whose overflowing landfills have led to intermittently trash-choked streets for years, will soon be invaded by an army of volunteers, including a group of psychologists trained in counseling disaster survivors. Berlusconi has also pledged to clean up the garbage. More »

Northern league lawmakers show front pages of La Padania newspaper, reading "Elections" prior to a confidence vote at the Chamber of Deputies, in Rome, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. Romano Prodi faced...   (Associated Press)
A view of a joint parliamentary session in the Lower Chamber of Deputies at a ceremony for the sixtieth anniversary of the country's constitution, in Rome, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. Italian Premier Romano...   (Associated Press)
Italian Premier Romano Prodi looks on prior to a confidence vote at the lower Chamber of Deputies, in Rome, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. Prodi faced mounting pressure Wednesday to resign even before a crucial...   (Associated Press)
Italian Premier Romano Prodi waves to center-right lawmakers as he votes at the Chamber of Deputies, in Rome, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. Prodi faced mounting pressure Wednesday to resign even before a...   (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...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Related Threads

(1 of 1)

Tags

Italy • Silvio Berlusconi • Romano Prodi • Clemente Mastella


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

[ Stories ]

Threads

Loading...

Other World Stories