ROME (AP) — Premier Silvio Berlusconi has survived a confidence vote in the Italian Senate, but another, riskier vote follows in the lower house.
Berlusconi had been expected to win the Senate vote on a motion in support of the government that had been brought by his allies. The vote Tuesday was 162-135.
The showdown in parliament follows a dramatic fallout with his one-time closest ally, Gianfranco Fini. The breakup potentially deprives Berlusconi of a majority in the lower house, and that vote later Tuesday will hang on a few undecided lawmakers.
Berlusconi has said he is confident he will win both votes.
