Italy government wins confidence vote on economic package in lower house

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) - The Italian government headed by Mario Draghi won a key confidence vote Thursday in the Lower House, the first step in the approval of a €23 billion package in economic aid to struggling families and businesses.

The 410 - 49 vote was the first political test after the 5-Star Movement -- one of the main coalition parties supporting the Draghi cabinet that confirmed its backing. But the party also posed conditions for its support.

The 5-Star leader Giuseppe Conte handed a 9-point document Tuesday to the prime minister, including main proposals from the party.

In the document, the movement highlighted the need to agree to an “extraordinary” intervention to help families and businesses struggling with a spike in energy prices and the prospect of a new economic recession.​​​​​​​

Conte had already ensured support in Thursday’s confidence vote but tensions remain high within the party, which could split when the second and final vote on the economic measures will be held next week in the Senate.

The 5-Star Movement is part of a litigious coalition government that includes the center-left Democratic Party and the right-wing League.

In recent months, the coalition has faced strong divisions regarding key economic policies and the position on the Ukrainian war, bringing the 5-Star Movement to the verge of withdrawing support for the government.​​​​​​​