Big spenders an Italian politician misses (9)

I believe the answer is:

prodigals

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'big spenders' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'an italian politician misses' is the wordplay.
'an italian politician' becomes 'prodi' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'misses' becomes 'gals' ('gal' can be a synonym of 'miss').
'prodi'+'gals'='PRODIGALS'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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