Berlusconi survives first confidence vote

Italian Premier Berlusconi survived a first parliamentary confidence vote today, but still faces a second, less certain, ballot in the lower house.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi survived a first parliamentary confidence vote today, but still faces a second, less certain, ballot in the lower house.

Mr Berlusconi had been expected to win the Senate vote on a motion in support of the government that had been brought by his allies. The vote was 162-135.