Italian Parliament resumes business after Prodi victory

Italy’s Parliament today resumed business for the first time since Romano Prodi’s coalition narrowly won elections earlier this month, with legislative sessions that will test his partners’ ability to stay united.

The members of the new Chamber of Deputies gathered first to begin voting for its president, who is likely to be Prodi’s ally, Communist leader Fausto Bertinotti. However, parliamentary officials said the voting would probably stretch into tomorrow.