By Silvia Marchetti
ROME (MaceNews) – Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte Tuesday has won a key Senate confidence vote but with only a “relative majority” that hampers the government from fully ruling and efficiently pursuing its agenda.
The final vote result was 156 yes and 140 no votes. The political crisis, triggered when the minor ally Italia Viva pulled out of the coalition, is far from being solved. With such a narrow majority it will be tough for Conte to keep ruling. At each future Senate vote for the approval of laws and key reforms the ruling coalition would face a replicated threat of downfall.
Sixteen senators abstained and they will now be swing votes who can determine the future of the coalition in coming votes for the approval of key measures. The Senate was effectively split in two so the sum of the 16 abstainers plus the anti-Conte senators adds up to 156, the same as the number of pro-Conte senators.
The prime minister left the Senate without comments at the end of the vote. Earlier on Tuesday Conte had stressed that he would continue in his role as long as he was backed by a stable, solid majority able to push through parliament reforms and EU direct aid plans.
Conte is expected to meet with head of state Sergio Mattarella in the following days to discuss the political situation and whether there are grounds to pursue his mandate or resign. Mattarella has taken notice of the Senate vote, the Presidential Palace made known.
Renzi’s party could also now vote with the opposition on future government measures.
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Contact this reporter: silvia@macenews.com.
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