Italy has a new president. Left-wing democrat Giorgio Napolitano (80) was chosen on Wednesday to succeed Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (85) whose term in office ends next week. Mr Napolitano was elected with 543 of the 990 votes cast by Italy's parliamentarians and regional representatives; the other 347 ballots were left blank.
Mr Prodi looks likely to need a few more days to finalise the composition of his cabinet, but is expected to be ready to take over from outgoing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi during the course of next week. Mr Prodi was, therefore, very happy with Mr Napolitano's election:
"Napolitano obtained more votes than expected. We are very satisfied."
Giorgio Napolitano, born in 1925 and the first former communist to occupy Italy's highest office, is a true political veteran. In 1942 he established an anti-fascist resistance group in his hometown Naples. He joined the PCI, the Italian communist party, in 1945, later entering parliament in 1953.
Communist to Social Democrat
As an MP and party official he concentrated mainly on economic and international questions, always following a moderate line within the ranks of the PCI. In the 1980s, this 'euro-communist' helped steer his party into the European social-democratic camp, supporting the PCI's transformation in 1989 into the party now known as the Democrats of the Left.
He became chairman of parliament's lower house in 1992, before going on to be appointed minister of the interior in Romano Prodi's first cabinet in 1995. From 1994 to 2004 he was a member of the European Parliament. President Ciampi made him a senator for life in 2005.
Respect
His long record of service and his elderly, aristocratic manner have made him one of Italy's most respected politicians. In his new position as representative of the Italian nation he will also be able to rely on his considerable experience of international politics and his sound knowledge of English, a rare thing among Italian politicians.
Accordingly, Italy's soon-to-be leader of the opposition, who's already working on his next election campaign, claims that Italy faces the threat of becoming a 'red dictatorship':
"The Left has now taken all the top jobs, but forgets that half of the country wants something different."
Mr Berlusconi's refusal meant that the election of Mr Napolitano took some three days and a total of four rounds of voting. A two-thirds majority was needed in the first three rounds, a requirement which could not be met without the support of Italy's 'new' opposition. This is why the centre-left coalition waited until the fourth round - when a simple majority would suffice - to put Mr Napolitano forward as a candidate. The new president easily managed to obtain that majority, which was also provided by a number of votes from the rightwing camp despite Mr Berlusconi having called on his supporters to leave their ballot papers blank.
RNW Internet translation (tpf)
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