left from winning a workable parliamentary majority. The study in Espresso weekly appeared to bear that out. Basing its review on voting figures from last April's regional elections, where Prodi won by a landslide, it said the centre-left would have secured only an eight seat majority in the Senate under the new rules. Under the old voting system, the centre left would have secured a 46-seat majority in the upper house. In a much closer vote, like the one shaping up for the April general election, the Senate majority could be smaller still. The government has said the electoral reform simplifies Italy's complicated voting system and denies it was aimed as a "poison pill" to ensure Prodi would get a slim majority. Berlusconi, who has had a facelift and hair transplant since winning the 2001 election, told a TV talkshow this week he presented an even more electable face for 2006. "Today I am better looking than back then," he said.
