80-year-old Italian President Sergio Mattarella has emerged as the frontrunner in the country's ongoing presidential election, ABC News reports.
Matarella specifically asked not to be considered for a second seven-year term and has already rented an apartment in Rome to which he plans to retire when his term expires in February.
The Italian president, who wields significant power, is elected by a group of 1,009 parliamentarians and regional representatives. Voting is conducted by secret ballot, which makes whipping votes very difficult.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sen. Matteo Salvini, a right-wing leader and former deputy prime minister, put forward Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati as the preferred candidate of the center-right bloc, but she won only 382 votes
After six rounds of balloting in which the candidates proposed by Italy's various political coalitions failed to garner the 505 votes needed to win, increasing numbers of lawmakers defected and began casting votes for Mattarella.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi asked Mattarella on Saturday to stay in office "for the good and stability of the country," according to Reuters.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
-
Elix, part of Mar-Bella Collection review: a Greek beachside oasisThe Week Recommends This family-friendly resort offers access to a beautiful beach
-
The Indigenous referendum splitting the Australian public
The Explainer The referendum would form a federal body of Aboriginal people in Australia
-
Who is Laphonza Butler, California's new senator and champion of labor?
Why Everyone's Talking About Butler has served as the president of pro-choice advocacy group EMILY's List
-
What Slovakia's pro-Russia election result means for Ukraine
Speed Read The victory of former Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's populist Smer party has raised concerns of waning support for Kyiv in Western democracies
-
Dianne Feinstein, history-making Democratic US senator, dies at 90
The Explainer Her colleagues celebrate her legacy as a trailblazer who cleared the path for other women to follow
-
Will the cannabis banking bill get the Senate's green light?
Talking Point The SAFER Banking Act is advancing to the US Senate for the first time, clearing a major hurdle for legal cannabis businesses. Does it stand a chance?
-
A Ukraine election in 2024: how it would work
The Explainer Zelenskyy hints that country is ready for March polls but logistical, security and democratic obstacles remain
-
Biden creates White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Speed Read The office will be led by Vice President Kamala Harris
-
The states of statewide gerrymandering in 2023
In Depth Two extreme examples to watch ahead of the upcoming elections
-
What might a post-Mitch McConnell GOP look like?
Here's what to watch for as questions about the longtime Senate leader swirl.
-
Is Mitt Romney's retirement the end of a Republican era?
Without the Utah senator, the GOP center might not hold
