Italy: Giuseppe Conte narrowly obtains the confidence of the Senate

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte speaks before the vote of confidence in the upper house of Parliament in Rome on January 19, 2021. REUTERS - YARA NARDI

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After winning hands down the vote of confidence in the Chamber of Deputies Giuseppe Conte, released by the small Italia Viva party of Matteo Renzi, obtained this Tuesday only a relative majority in the Senate: 156 votes for, 140 against and 16 abstentions. 

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With our correspondent in Rome, 

Anne Le Nir

The hunt for those responsible, as they are called in Italy, continued until the last minute.

Finally to replace the troop of senators from

Matteo Renzi's

Italia Viva party

, who abstained, defectors from centrist and liberal parties allowed the President of the Council to obtain a relative majority in the Senate.

That is to say 156 votes whereas it takes 161 for the absolute majority.

Despite the great imbalance between the Chamber of Deputies, where Giuseppe Conte largely won the vote of confidence, and the Senate, according to the Italian Constitution he can continue his mandate.

But according to all the experts, he comes out weakened from this ordeal.

To move forward, Giuseppe Conte will necessarily have to strengthen the country's recovery projects, reshuffle his government team and be more attentive to an opposition under very high tension.

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See also: Italy: the resignation of two ministers puts the coalition government on hold

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• Italy

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