Good article in the LATimes about the current situation:
"Prodi has received an important boost from a former Berlusconi ally, centrist Sen. Marco Follini, who told a leading Italian newspaper that he probably would cross the aisle in support of Prodi. He said he was tired of seeing a government held hostage by minority interests and wanted to help push the agenda toward the center."
Also see the blog entry at "A Fistful of Euros".