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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Prodi's Choice: Resign Today or Lose Tonight

Italian PM may bail ahead of evening no-confidence vote

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(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.

Northern league lawmakers show front pages of La Padania newspaper, reading
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 Prodi was fighting an uphill battle for his government's survival Wednesday, facing the first of two confidence...
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 parliamentary confidence vote, as prospects dimmed that his 20-month center-left coalition could survive the loss of...
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 crucial parliamentary confidence vote, as prospects dimmed that his 20-month center-left coalition could survive the loss of a...
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 further strain on Premier Romano Prodi's shaky government.
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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