Prodi to address senate ahead of confidence vote

Romano Prodi prepared to address the Italian senate today, ahead of a confidence vote in the upper house that will decide whether or not his centre-left government survives.

Mr Prodi’s speech at the senate, where he has minimal majority, was expected to focus on Italy’s military mission in Afghanistan, measures to inject competition in the country’s economy, a project for a high-speed train linking Turin and Lyon, France, and family policies.