Reuters, Rome :
Italian lawmakers elected Sergio Mattarella, a constitutional court judge, as president today, handing a welcome political victory to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
After three inconclusive rounds of voting this week in which a two-thirds majority was needed, Mr Renzi’s candidate Mr Mattarella was elected in the fourth round, when the required quorum fell to a simple majority.
As the ballots were counted out loud in the Chamber of Deputies, the 1,009 parliamentarians and regional officials eligible to vote burst into applause when Mr Mattarella’s name surpassed the 505-vote threshold needed, making him Italy’s 12th President since World War Two.
Though the count has not been finalized, Mr Mattarella, who is little known to most Italians, drew broad parliamentary support, garnering more than 650 votes.
Mr Mattarella is expected to be sworn in next week for a seven-year term, taking over officially for the 89-year-old Giorgio Napolitano, who resigned earlier this month.
Italian lawmakers elected Sergio Mattarella, a constitutional court judge, as president today, handing a welcome political victory to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
After three inconclusive rounds of voting this week in which a two-thirds majority was needed, Mr Renzi’s candidate Mr Mattarella was elected in the fourth round, when the required quorum fell to a simple majority.
As the ballots were counted out loud in the Chamber of Deputies, the 1,009 parliamentarians and regional officials eligible to vote burst into applause when Mr Mattarella’s name surpassed the 505-vote threshold needed, making him Italy’s 12th President since World War Two.
Though the count has not been finalized, Mr Mattarella, who is little known to most Italians, drew broad parliamentary support, garnering more than 650 votes.
Mr Mattarella is expected to be sworn in next week for a seven-year term, taking over officially for the 89-year-old Giorgio Napolitano, who resigned earlier this month.
