Italian PM wins crucial vote in Senate with slim margin

Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte squeaked through a crucial Senate confidence vote on his government with enough backing to keep his wobbly coalition afloat for now but without the reliable majority he’ll need to effectively govern the country with its pandemic-pummelled economy. The vote went 156 to 140 in his favour. There were 16 abstentions, thanks to a small but key coalition ally that bolted the centre-left coalition last week, jeopardising Conte’s survival at the nation’s helm. Among the yes votes were two defectors from the centre-right opposition party led by ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi. An absolute majority in the Senate is 161. So, to pass critical legislation, including aid to...