ROME (AP) – Italian lawmakers elected Sergio Mattarella, a Constitutional Court justice widely considered to be above the political fray, as the nation’s new president on the third day of voting Saturday.
Mattarella’s election as head of state was clinched when he amassed 505 votes – a simple majority. The 73-year-old former minister with center-left political roots went on to garner 665 votes from the 1,009 eligible electors.
Known as a man of few words, Mattarella cemented that reputation with his first remarks to the nation.
“My thoughts go, above all, to the difficulties and hopes of our fellow citizens. That’s enough,” he said, referring to the grim economic situation, in comments made at his court office just down the street from the presidential palace.
Italy is mired in recession and unemployment has hovered about 13 percent nationally. Young Italians are increasingly seeking work abroad.