Reuters: Prodi aims to stay on after winning allies' backing

[Eugene]

Prodi aims to stay on after winning allies' backing

By Silvia Aloisi

1 hour, 2 minutes ago

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's center-left leaders have agreed to back Romano Prodi's bid to
stay on as prime minister, boosting his chances of ending a crisis that risks plunging
the country into political paralysis.

Prodi, who won the narrowest election in Italy's postwar history last April, clinched the
deal at a late-night meeting on Thursday, a day after he resigned following a revolt in his
Catholics-to-communists coalition.

With the agreement under his belt, he now needs to convince President Giorgio Napolitano,
who has been holding talks to resolve the crisis, that he has mustered enough support to
carry on as head of government.

-snip-

Under Thursday's deal, Prodi's allies all signed up to a 12-point "non-negotiable" government
program, giving Prodi the last say in case of conflict within the coalition, Sircana said.

One point is respect for Italy's international commitments, including its military presence
in Afghanistan -- one of the sources of friction that brought Prodi down.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070223/wl_nm/italy_dc_12

[Greeby]

1. Regardless of how else it turns out

Don Berlusconi cannot be allowed to get back in

[Eugene]

2. AP: Italian Leader Holds Talks on New Gov't

Associated Press
Italian Leader Holds Talks on New Gov't
By ARIEL DAVID 02.23.07, 7:03 AM ET

The Italian president consulted with political leaders Friday in talks on the
formation of a new government following the resignation of Premier Romano
Prodi's nine-month-old Cabinet.

Prodi stepped down Wednesday evening after an embarrassing parliamentary
defeat over foreign policy, including the government's plan to keep troops
in Afghanistan. He is staying on in a caretaker role.

Earlier Friday, Prodi emerged from a late night meeting of his center-left
coalition with agreement on a plan that could help him form a new government
and return to office.

-snip-

President Giorgio Napolitano has been holding talks to determine which
politician has enough backing in Parliament to form a viable government. On
Friday, he was meeting first with members of the conservative opposition and
was scheduled to hold talks with center-left leaders in the afternoon.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/02/23/ap3456061.html

[Eugene]

3. AP: Italian Leader Urges Prodi to Stay as PM

Italian Leader Urges Prodi to Stay as PM


Saturday February 24, 2007 11:01 AM

AP Photo GB119

By ALESSANDRA RIZZO

Associated Press Writer

ROME (AP) - The Italian president asked Romano Prodi on Saturday to stay on
as premier and face a new vote of confidence in parliament, seeking a swift
end to the political crisis prompted by the government's resignation days ago.

President Giorgio Napolitano announced his decision after holding two days of
talks with party leaders and receiving reassurances that Prodi had the necessary
parliamentary backing.

"I will seek a vote of confidence as soon as possible, with renewed impetus and
a united coalition," Prodi said after meeting with the president.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6437722,00.html