Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi survived his latest political crisis as his new government won final approval from the Italian Senate. The Senate is the upper house of Italy's parliament. It voted 170-117 to approve the new ruling coalition, giving it a vote of confidence.

Yesterday, the lower house of parliament gave Berlusconi a similar vote of confidence. The new government is now formally approved just one week after Berlusconi resigned his position as prime minister after two political parties defected from his ruling coalition. Italy's President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi gave Berlusconi the chance to form a new coalition and he has successfully done so.

The previous coalition was weakened after it had a surprisingly poor showing in nationwide local elections last month. Berlusconi's popularity has declined due to the poor state of the Italian economy and the unpopularity of his decision to send Italian troops to Iraq to participate in the American-led invasion and occupation of that country. 28 Italians have died in the war in Iraq including six civilians and one secret service agent.

Just before the Senate vote, Berlusconi promised to carry out a new economic platform which would include tax cuts for businesses. He has also indicated in the past month that some of Italy's 3,000 troops in Iraq will begin coming home before the end of the year.

Through it all, Berlusconi survived the crises and has formed a new government. His five-year term is up at the end of 2006.