Italy's contentious budget wins government's confidence vote

The Chamber of Deputies Saturday night passed the budget law on Saturday night, following the Senate's approval last Sunday.

The government tied support for the budget to a confidence vote to assure the spending package's quick passage to avoid European Union sanctions for excessive debt.

The budget covers the cost of a providing basic income for job-seekers and rolling back unpopular pension reforms. Critics say it lacks investment incentives to revive Italy's sluggish economy.