Italy's new government, led by former foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni, won its first vote of confidence in parliament on Tuesday, lining it up to rule the country for at least the next few months, according to dpa. The government received 368 votes in its favour, while 105 were against the government. Most observers see Gentiloni as a stopgap leader, called upon to clear up urgent business, like a reform of dysfunctional voting rules and the possible state rescue of troubled bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), before standing aside for elections in early 2017. "I want to state very clearly, on this occasion, that the government, as you know, is ready to intervene, if necessary, to protect the stability of the banks and citizens' savings," Gentiloni said in his maiden speech to the lower Chamber of Deputies. The positive result at Tuesday's vote in the lower chamber was expected, given that Gentiloni's Democratic Party (PD) and its allies have a safe majority. Main opposition parties boycotted Gentiloni's speech, leaving the assembly half-empty. A Wednesday vote in the upper house, or Senate, was more uncertain, especially after a small centrist grouping that supported the previous government of Matteo Renzi pulled out of the ruling coalition. But a government rejection was still seen as unlikely. President Sergio Mattarella tapped Gentiloni for the premiership on Sunday, seven days after the rejection of constitutional reforms in a referendum triggered Renzi's resignation. The new leader was appointed with the departing premier's blessing. His cabinet team is largely a carry-over from Renzi's government, which was discredited by the referendum loss. This has led the Five Star Movement, the main opposition group, to accuse Gentiloni of heading a "team of losers." # Notebook ## Note to editors - Adds that government got vote of confidence.
