Italian Parliament set for confidence vote on new govt in 1st crucial test before reforms

Carabinieri forensic police collect evidences in Piazza Colonna square, in front of Rome's Palazzo Chigi premier office, Sunday, April 28, 2013. Two paramilitary police officers were shot and wounded Sunday in a crowded square outside the Italian premier's office as the new leader Enrico Letta was sworn in about a kilometer (half-mile) away. It was unclear if there was any connection between the events.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (The Associated Press)

Forensic police collect evidence in Piazza Colonna Square where a shooting took place outside Chigi Palace, premier's office, building at left, in Rome, Sunday, April 28, 2013. Two Italian paramilitary policemen were shot and wounded Sunday in a crowded square outside the premier's office in Rome as Italy's new leader Enrico Letta was being sworn in at the Quirinal presidential office, about a kilometer (half-mile) away. It was not immediately clear if there was any connection between the shooting and the swearing-in. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (The Associated Press)

Italy's new cross-party government faces its first crucial test with a vote of confidence in the lower house a day after a lone gunman shot two police officers outside the prime minister's office.

Prime Minister Enrico Letta's new government is under pressure to draft economic and social reforms, including measures to get Italians back to work.

The lower house of Parliament votes later Monday to confirm the government, followed by the Senate on Tuesday.

Italy's stock market was trading up 1.5 percent while the country's borrowing costs on its 10-year bonds dropped below 4 percent for the first time since 2010 as markets expressed confidence in the new government.

A lawyer for the gunman who shot the officers on Sunday described his client as desperate because of the economic situation.