Rome - A centre-right senator and professor of philosophy, Dr Marcello Pera, was yesterday elected Speaker of the Italian senate, Paddy Agnew reports. Senator Pera's nomination, on the opening day of the new parliament following this month's general election, came as no surprise since the centre-right coalition led by media tycoon Mr Silvio Berlusconi commands a comfortable majority in both Houses.
Today, the incoming government forces will elect another centre-right exponent, Mr Pierferdinando Casini, as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies. Both Mr Pera and Mr Casini are senior figures in Mr Berlusconi's coalition and both had been tipped for cabinet posts. The appointments are the first steps along the constitutional road leading to the formation of Italy's 58th post-war government.