Newly sworn-in Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi won a confidence vote in the Senate on Wednesday night.

 

Draghi's government was supported by a vote of 262-40 with two abstentions in the Senate.

 

In a speech prior to the vote, Draghi outlined his government program going forward.

 

"The main duty we are called on to fulfill is to fight the pandemic with every means at our disposal," Draghi said. "The virus is everyone's enemy."

 

He said COVID-19 vaccinations must be carried out "in all possible facilities, whether public or private," with the help of the military, the Civil Protection Department, and volunteers.

 

As part of its G20 leadership this year, Italy will promote "green and sustainable growth for everyone" in order to build back better in the wake of the pandemic, Draghi said.

 

The country will also focus on sustainability and green transition ahead of the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP26), he added.

 

Draghi, who was sworn in over the weekend, faces a second confidence vote in the Lower House on Thursday. Under Italian law, new governments must win confidence votes in both houses of parliament before they can get to work.