Prodi coalition ends with defeat in confidence motion

A view of the Italian senate as prime minister Romano Prodi attends a confidence session for his government Photograph: Franco Origlia/Getty

Italian premier Romano Prodi (centre) among government representatives, prior to a confidence vote in the senate Photograph: Alessandra Tarantino/AP

Romano Prodi awaits the confidence vote Photograph: Alessandra Tarantino/AP

UDEUR senator Tommaso Barbato is stopped by colleagues as the tries to reach the UDEUR senator Sergio Cusumano. Mr Cusumano was spat on after announcing he planned to defy his party and vote with the government. Prodi's crisis was prompted, on Monday, by the departure of the UDEUR - a Christian Democrat group - from the coalition Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

Italian UDEUR senator Tommaso Barbato (left) argues with UDEUR senator Sergio Cusumano Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Senator Nuccio Cusumano falls ill after being verbally attacked by a member of his own party. He was called a "lump of shit" and a "cuckold", before bursting into tears and falling backwards Photograph: Ettore Ferrari/EPA

Centre-right senators - Prodi's opposition - celebrate after the confidence vote Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Italian opposition senators celebrate with champagne and slices of Italian coldcut Mortadella - a bland sausage used a satirical term for describing premier Romano Prodi Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/AP

Senator Nino Strano eats mortadella to celebrate the end of Romano Prodi's government Photograph: Maurizio Brambatti/EPA

Crowds holding the Italian Fiamma Tricolore, a right-wing party flag, celebrate after a confidence vote in the senate Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/AP