ROME – With only a two-seat majority in the Senate, a government by center-left leader Romano Prodi may have to rely on seven legislators appointed senators for life – a group that includes a Nobel Prize winner and a seven-time premier – to survive.
Most life senators appear inclined to support Prodi. The life senators also could prove pivotal if his forces want to push legislation through parliament or in the event of defections or absences by Prodi allies.
Prodi acknowledged as much yesterday, when he said he may depend on the life senators to support his government and ensure its stability.
“I didn't count life senators because it's customary not to count them,” he told reporters at the foreign press club. “But they vote, and they're part of the Senate.”
