Berlusconi wins backing for new government

PREMIER Silvio Berlusconi’s new government won approval yesterday in Italy’s lower house of parliament, following a combative speech in which he pledged to boost the economy and promised “extraordinary” results ahead of next year’s elections.

The confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies - won 334-240 by the centre-right coalition - came after Berlusconi resigned last week in a bid strengthen his fractious coalition. In his half-hour speech to the chamber, Berlusconi promised to improve the economy.

“Stop once and for all being defeatists,” Berlusconi told opposition MPs, suggesting that such gloomy talk discourages investment and spending, which could reinvigorate the economy.