Mattarella re-elected President of Italy

The current president of Italy, 80-year-old Sergio Mattarella, was re-elected for a second term.

The eighth round of voting at a joint meeting of the Chambers of Parliament and representatives of the regions in Rome took place in Rome on Saturday. In the first seven, it was not possible to elect Mattarella's successor, and parties belonging to the parliamentary coalition were called to vote for him.

The president himself said earlier that he would not put up his candidacy. But then he agreed on the condition that he could resign before the expiration of the seven-year term. In the history of Italy to date, the President has been re-elected for a second term only once.

According to analysts, with Mattarella's re-election, Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who is considered a successful anti-crisis manager, is likely to remain in office. Draghi also had chances to be elected president, but many parties of the ruling coalition feared his departure, which could lead to the collapse of governments and a political crisis.