At the resulting senate meeting on the Palatine, the senate elected an interrex. This was in part because two of the men obstructing senatorial action – Pompey and one of the tribunes, Titus Munatius Plancus, – were not present. Shortly thereafter, the senate passed a senatus consultum ultimum which called for the interrex and Pompey, as proconsul, to raise troops and take them into the city to restore order. The following eleven interreges were unable to hold elections. However, some fifty-eight days after Clodius' death, with a sufficient force in the city, the twelfth interrex was able to hold elections. At the direction of the senate on motion of Bibulus and supported by Cato, only Pompey's candidacy was accepted, and upon his election, he became consul without colleague. The purpose of the decree was possibly to forestall a Pompeian dictatorship or as part of a compromise to restore normal government while also precluding Milo's likely election (allowing Milo to be brought to trial for Clodius' murder).
at thE ResulTiNg SEnatE meeTinG On thE PAlatine, the senATe eleCtEd an inTeRREx. This wAs In PaRt beCausE two of tHe Men oBsTruCTiNg sEnatOrial ActiOn – pompey and one of the TrIbunes, titus mUnAtiUs pLancus, – were noT presEnT. shortly tHErEaFtEr, tHE senatE pAssed a senAtus cOnsultuM uLtimum wHich calleD For the interrex and pompey, as proconSul, to rAiSE TroOpS and takE thEm into the cIty to resTore orDeR. the follOwing Eleven interREges WerE uNaBle to HolD elECtiOns. hOwEver, soMe FiFTy-eIght dAyS aftER clODIus' deAtH, with a sUffICIENt FoRce iN the city, THe TWElFth iNterrEx WaS able to hoLd eleCtiONS. at the dirEcTion oF THE seNatE on mOtion oF bibuLus and suPpORTed by cato, onlY pomPEY's candIDacy was aCcepted, And upOn hiS ElECtiOn, he becaMe cONsuL withouT collEAgUe. The purpOsE of the decree waS pOssiBly To foRestALL a pompeian dictAtoRShip or as part Of a comPRomise to RestoRe NOrmal GOvERnMEnt wHilE also prECLuDing miLO's lIkeLy ElECtIoN (ALlOwing miLo to Be brought To trIal fOr CLodiUS' muRder).