In a speech to the Senate prior to the vote, Gentiloni reiterated that his new government's first task will be to complete Renzi's reforms.

"Above all, (this government) must complete the exceptional work of reform, innovation and modernization carried out in the last few years," he said.

Framing a new electoral law is urgent, independently of when the next election is held, and the parliament's decisions on this score will reshape the country, Gentiloni said.

The new prime minister said there is an urgent need for "harmonized" election rules for both houses of parliament, and that the new rules are "not a valve to be opened or closed according to the urgency or not of the electoral date."

"Undoubtedly the evolution of the system as we have known it in recent years is at stake," he told MPs. "When you debate the new election rules... (you) will affect the way we conceive of the functioning of our democracy."

Gentiloni added that his government will contribute to the debate but will not be center stage.

"Our job will be to facilitate the search for a solution and also to solicit (a response from) political forces," he explained.

The prime minister also reiterated that his administration's No.1 priority is employment. "Making (job) protections universal must be our goal," the center-left prime minister said. "Unfortunately this can't be resolved with easy slogans."

He also urged opposition parties boycotting the vote to "respect parliament and to take part in its meetings in a civilized way."

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