Napolitano elected Italy president, according to early count

The Italian Parliament today elected the centre-left candidate – an 80-year-old former Communist – as the country’s next president, paving the way for a Romano Prodi government, an unofficial count indicated.

Giorgio Napolitano, a widely respected senator-for-life, was elected during the fourth round of voting by some 1,000 electors – members from the two houses of parliament and regional representatives.