Italian politicians pick 80-year-old ex-Communist as president
Giorgio Napolitano, a widely respected senator-for-life, was chosen during the fourth round of voting by some 1,000 electors, including members of both of parliament and regional representatives.
He was proclaimed Italy’s new president by the head of the lower Chamber of Deputies, Fausto Bertinotti, after winning 543 votes — well above the minimum 505 necessary for victory. A long found of applause erupted in Parliament.
