Italy's Bossi recovering from heart attack

VARESE, Italy, March 12 (UPI) -- Italy's controversial minister for reform and leader of the Northern League party, Umberto Bossi, was recovering Friday from a heart attack.

A hospital statement in the northern city of Varese said the 62-year-old politician was in stable condition and under sedation, Italy's AGI news agency reported.

Bossi, a heavy smoker, was taken to the intensive care unit after falling ill at home. Doctors said there were no plans for surgery.

Bossi is a key member of the center-right coalition that swept to power in May 2001 under Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

The Northern League could benefit from popular sympathy generated by his heart attack, the Financial Times said. Sympathy may also work in the party's favor as the Italian parliament approaches a vote on constitutional reforms that are Bossi's personal project.