Italy: PM Gentiloni wins vote to govern

ROME

Italy's new Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni won Wednesday a vote of confidence in the Senate with 169 votes in favor and 99 against his government.

Following Matteo Renzi's resignation on Dec. 7, after his defeat in a referendum for constitutional reform, President Sergio Mattarella asked Foreign Minister Gentiloni to form the new government on Dec. 11.

Gentiloni submitted a list of 64th Cabinet ministers for presidential approval on Monday.

On Tuesday, Gentiloni secured the first of two confidence votes in Italy's lower house.

However, the opposition parties did not take part in the ballot since they believed that the new premier would work in accordance with previous administration.

Reporting by Baris Seckin; Writing by Diyar Güldoğan;