Sergio Mattarella agreed to stay on after ruling parties failed to find a compromise candidate.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella has agreed to serve a second term after coalition parties failed to agree on a compromise candidate for the office.He had expressed a desire to leave office, but local media reported Prime Minister Mario Draghi had convinced him to stay for the "stability" of Italy.Speaking after Saturday evening's vote, Mr Draghi said Mr Mattarella's re-election is "splendid news for Italians".
Italy's presidency is elected through a secret vote in an electoral college of 1,009 senators, MPs and some regional delegates, with the first candidate to receive two-thirds of the vote declared victorious. In the event, the incumbent received 759 votes. "Mattarella has performed his function impeccably," Mr Tajani said. "In the absence of a political agreement on other people, it is right that the point of balance is still him."
Many MPs had feared instability and snap elections if Mr Mattarella had been replaced by, for example, the current prime minister, with some worried they'd be voted out and lose their generous pensions.
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