Prodi moving closer to becoming Italian premier
Romano Prodi moved a step closer to becoming the next Italian premier today when the Interior Ministry sharply lowered the number of contested ballots in the closely fought election, boosting the likelihood that his narrow victory will stand.
As judges were still counting contested ballots and Italians awaited the final word, Prodi reiterated his confidence, while Premier Silvio Berlusconi still refused to concede.
