Italy's new Prime Minister Mario Draghi leaves after addressing deputies before submitting his government to a vote of confidence, in the Italian Parliament in Rome on Feb 18, 2021. Draghi was set on the same day to win the final parliamentary seal of approval for his government, allowing him to focus on his country's unprecedented health and economic crisis. (GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE / POOL / AFP)

ROME - Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi won a confidence vote in the lower house on Thursday, with 535 in favor, 56 against and five abstaining.

In comments to lawmakers prior to the vote, Draghi said that his government will reinforce Italy's manufacturing base and make it more competitive by supporting the internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which make up the backbone of Italy's economy.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who also won a confidence vote in the Senate on Wednesday, leads a "government of national unity" that includes most of Italy's political parties

"We must foster their process of technological transition and environmental sustainability," Draghi said in reference to SMEs.

ALSO READ: Italy's Conte signals lukewarm support for Draghi-led govt

He added that "a country capable of attracting international investments must defend itself from corruption and organized crime" and that the keys to keeping the mafia out of Italy's economy are "transparency and simplification" in public administration.

Draghi, who also won a confidence vote in the Senate on Wednesday, leads a "government of national unity" that includes most of Italy's political parties.

He was appointed after his predecessor Giuseppe Conte resigned on Jan 26 since a junior coalition ally withdrew its support in disagreement with Conte's handling of the pandemic emergency.

READ MORE: Italy's parties enthuse over Draghi, 5-Star postpones vote

Under Italian law, new governments must win confidence votes in both houses of parliament before they can get to work.