Amato wins reform vote

Rome (Reuter) - Italy's government yesterday won the first of four confidence votes called to ensure its own fragile parliamentary majority did not scupper a package of spending cuts. The first part of the bill, giving Giuliano Amato's government a free hand to reform the health system, was approved by 316 votes to 93. Voting on three other parts, dealing with pensions, civil service and local government funding, is to be completed by this afternoon.