Romano Prodi’s government has fallen, having lost a vote in the senate on a proposed renewal of Italy’s mission in Afghanistan.

It’s unclear exactly what will happen – as consulatations start tomorrow to see whether the numbers can be found to form a new government, or whether new elections will be held.

Mediaset shares, in the meantime, took a sharp turn upwards this afternoon. Mediaset is, of course, Silvio Berlusconi’s media company.