FLORENCE, ITALY – Sergio Mattarella was elected Italy’s new president on Saturday January 31, 2015.
Lawmakers from both houses of parliament and regional representatives broke into applause when the ex-minister, whose candidacy was proposed by Premier Matteo Renzi’s Democratic Party (PD), crossed the mark of 505 votes needed to ensure he had a simple majority of the so-called ‘grand electors’ in the fourth ballot.
He becomes Italy’s 12th president and replaces 89-year-old Giorgio Napolitano, who resigned as head of State this month.
The best wishes to the new president were made on Twitter by the President of the Tuscany Region, Enrico Rossi, and the Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella.
Buon lavoro #MattarellaPresidente pic.twitter.com/nG64nuYY0y
— Enrico Rossi (@rossipresidente) January 31, 2015
Benvenuto Presidente #Mattarella #Firenze ti saluta con gioia e fiducia @matteorenzi
— Dario Nardella (@DarioNardella) January 31, 2015