Sergio Mattarella re-elected Italian president on Saturday on the eighth ballot of MPs, Senators and regional representatives. His election ends six days of seven inconclusive ballots. Political parties begged the 80-year-old outgoing head of state to rethink his retirement plans.
The vote counters signalled the former minister and ex-Constitutional justice had reached the magic 505 vote mark. It sparked a standing ovation that lasted over four minutes. With Mattarella re-elected president, Italy’s political scene can continue without upheaval.
Mattarella received 759 votes out of a total of 983 voters. This compares to the 665 he garnered in his first election in 2015.
Premier Mario Draghi said “Sergio Mattarella’s re-election as Italian president is splendid news for the Italians. I’m grateful to the president for his decision to satisfy the extremely strong will of the parliament to re-elect him for a second term”.
Former premier and centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader Enrico Letta, who led the call for Mattarella’s re-election along with the League’s Matteo Salvini, said, “It is a victory for all. I think parliament has shown wisdom because Mattarella was the president that the Italians wanted”.
Former premier and populist 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Giuseppe Conte said “Buon lavoro, Presidente Mattarella”, (good work, President Mattarella).
