Italy's PM Matteo Renzi (L) and Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan (R) at a confidence vote at the Senate in Rome February 24, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

(VOVworld) – Italy’s Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, on Tuesday won his first vote of confidence in the country’s Senate, with 169 votes in favour and 139 against.

The vote took place a couple of hours after Prime Minister Renzi had declared a “radical and immediate change” to parliament in Italy’s tax system, jobs market, and public administration, in a bid to tackle the country's ailing economy.

In his speech, Renzi pledged to review unemployment subsidy, establish a guarantee fund for small companies, and comprehensively reform the judicial system. He also promised to cut the tax burden by a double-digit figure within months and pay off public administration debts.

The vote is considered the first important test for the government of Prime Minister Renzi who came into office last Saturday after former Prime Minister Enrico Letta resigned and dissolved the 10-month-old cabinet. A similar vote at the Lower House where his center-left Democratic Party has a strong majority was held the same day.