ROME (AP) — Italy’s Parliament failed again today in the third round to elect a successor to President Giorgio Napolitano.
Most lawmakers — a total of 465 — cast blank ballots in the third round, when a twothirds majority was required, reserving their real vote for the fourth round when a simple majority is needed.
In a bid to change the dynamic during today’s voting, the center-left leader proposed former Premier Romano Prodi for the post — moving away from a candidate reportedly backed by both the left and the right who nonetheless failed to win in two rounds of voting a day earlier.
Silvio Berlusconi’s centerright quickly made clear its opposition to Prodi, who twice beat Berlusconi in national elections.
Prodi received just 22 votes in the round, while a constitutional expert proposed by the movement founded by comicturned political leader Beppe Grillo received 250.
A fourth round was expected later today.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less