Berlusconi wins confidence vote

Berlusconi's government has to win a second confidence vote

ROME, Italy -- Italy's newly-elected government won a vote of confidence in the senate, on Wednesday.

A new Italian government needs to win confidence votes in both the upper and lower houses of parliament before introducing new legislation.

The new government, led by Silvio Berlusconi, swept into power on May 13, following Italy's general election.

The Berlusconi government won its first vote of confidence in the Senate by 175 votes to 133. Five senators abstained.

Observers say the government is also sure to win a separate confidence vote in the lower house of parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, on Thursday.