ROME, Jan 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Italy headed to the fourth round of voting, to elect a new president, after the third one yesterday, proved inconclusive.
Italian lawmakers and regional representatives – which make an assembly of more than 1,000 “grand electors,” tasked with the choice of the next head of state – have so far failed to agree on a single candidature.
Some 412 blank ballots were cast yesterday, which signaled doubts were still strong, about who would be the most apt figure to replace President Sergio Mattarella, whose seven-year term will end on Feb 3.
A broader consensus was still the main goal, claimed by the two main coalitions in parliament – the centre-left and the centre-right – thus talks within each alliance and between main leaders of the two groups reportedly intensified yesterday.
Yet, the path towards solving the deadlock might prove easier from today on. After a two-thirds majority required by the constitution in the first three rounds, a simple majority, or at least 505 votes, will be enough, starting from the fourth round.
The president in Italy is traditionally a ceremonial figure that plays a balancing role within the institutional landscape. However, the role becomes crucial in cases of broad political instability, such as in the case of major deadlocks between the cabinet and parliament.– NNN-AGENCIES