Italian news reports say embattled Prime Minister Romano Prodi will submit to a confidence vote in the Italian Senate Thursday, despite signs he will lose and be forced to resign.

Forza Italia leader and most likely center right candidate for premier or media tycoon and three-time Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi could find himself back in power as soon as next week as PM Romano Prodi of Italy will seek vote of confidence today.

Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi has called for a vote of confidence on his government in both houses of parliament.

President Bush is meeting in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi for talks expected on Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran, the Balkans and Kosovo.

A majority of Italians think Premier Romano Prodi's center-left government has not done a good job in its first year in office, according to a poll published Thursday.

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi Tuesday denounced Hamas militants for breaking a cease-fire with Israel, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the truce violation was an exceptional act. Mr. Abbas, who stopped in Rome on his tour of Europe, said there could be no more attacks between Israelis and Palestinians or else there could be no peace negotiations.

The government of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has narrowly won a Senate vote to continue Rome's military mission in Afghanistan. But questions remain over the mission's future, as NATO allies criticize Italy's handling of a recent hostage crisis.