Italy’s president, 80, elected to second term
ROME — Italian President Sergio Mattarella was elected Saturday to a second sevenyear term as the country’s head of state, ending days of political impasse by party leaders that risked eroding the nation’s credibility.
Earlier Saturday, lawmakers entreated Mr. Mattarella, 80, who had said he didn’t want a second mandate, to change his mind and agree to re-election by lawmakers in Parliament and regional delegates. That move followed days of fruitless efforts by political leaders to reach a consensuson another candidate.
Mr. Mattarella won in the eighth round of voting when he clinched the minimum of 505 votes needed from the eligible 1,009 Grand Electors. Applause broke out in Parliament, prompting the Chamber of Deputies president to interrupt his reading aloud of the ballots. The count then resumed, with Mr. Mattarella continuing on to win 759 votes.
Mr. Mattarella’s term ends Feb. 3. Ahead of the presidential election this week, Mr. Mattarella repeatedly said he doesn’t want another stint. He even rented an apartment in Rome to prepare for his move from the presidential palaceatop Quirinal Hill.
But after a seventh round of balloting in six days in Parliament failed to yield any consensus on a presidential candidate, party whips and regional governors visited Mr. Mattarella at the presidential palace to solicit his willingnessSaturday.
Rai state TV said Premier Mario Draghi, a non-partisan former chief of the European Central Bank who is leading a pandemic unity government, telephoned party leaders to encourage the lobbying. Mr. Draghi had previously indicated he would be willing to move into the president’s role, but some party leaders featured that would promptan early election.
Mr. Mattarella’s willingnessto serve again “is a choice of generosity toward the country,‘‘ said Democratic Party leaderEnrico Letta.
“You don’t change a winning team,‘‘ former Premier MatteoRenzi told reporters.
Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who heads the center-right Forza Italia party he founded, said that unity “today can only be found around the figure of President Sergio Mattarella, of whom we know we’re asking a great sacrifice.”
Health Minister Roberto Speranza, who heads a small left-wing party, told reporters that Mr. Mattarella’s re-election would be crucial for “stability for Italy.”
The head of the populist 5Star Movement, Parliament’s largest force, former PremierGiuseppe Conte, told reporters “Mattarella is the guarantor of everybody, impartial, authoritative.”
Also lobbying for Mr. Mattarella was right-wing League party leader Matteo Salvini, whose candidates failed to take off in the early rounds. In 2019, Mr. Salvini suffered the humiliation of seeing Mr. Mattarella turn to Mr. Conte to form a government, this time without the League, after Mr. Salvini yanked his support in a failed bid to grab the premiership for himself.
Italy’s presidency is a largely ceremonial role, that sees the head of state make official trips abroad or receives visiting foreign leaders to strengthen Italy’s international relations. On occasion, the president can send legislation back to Parliament to modify aspects deemed not in keeping with the post-war Constitution.