Prodi defies quit calls after parliamentary vote defeat

A defeat in parliament for Premier Romano Prodi raised new worries today about the stability of Italy’s centre-left governing coalition and prompted opposition calls for the premier’s resignation.

The centre-right opposition in the Italian Senate passed a motion Thursday praising the government’s approval of US military base expansion in Vicenza. It was an odd show of support that was seen as a political blow to Prodi, who was perceived as lacking political support from his own allies on this and other foreign policy issues.