Former European Commissioner Mario Monti gestures during a news conference in Brussels, in this file photo taken September 22, 2003. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said on Wednesday he had nominated Monti as a senator for life, a position awarded to distinguished Italians for their contributions to the country. Monti, an experienced economist who is currently the president of Milan's Bocconi university, has been mentioned in Italian media among possible candidates to succeed Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi when he steps down. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/Files (BELGIUM –