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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Italy crisis: President Napolitano agrees to stand again | Italy crisis: President Napolitano agrees to stand again |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has agreed to run for office again to resolve a growing political crisis, after an appeal by the main parties. | Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has agreed to run for office again to resolve a growing political crisis, after an appeal by the main parties. |
| "I consider it necessary to offer my availability," said Mr Napolitano, 87, who was due to step down on 15 May. | |
| The parliament earlier failed in its fifth attempt to elect a new president. The next vote is expected shortly. | The parliament earlier failed in its fifth attempt to elect a new president. The next vote is expected shortly. |
| A caretaker government has been governing Italy following February's inconclusive general elections. | A caretaker government has been governing Italy following February's inconclusive general elections. |
| The political deadlock has compounded concern about the stability of Italy whose economy, the third-biggest in the eurozone, is mired in recession. | The political deadlock has compounded concern about the stability of Italy whose economy, the third-biggest in the eurozone, is mired in recession. |
| 'Grave situation' | 'Grave situation' |
| "I cannot shun my responsibility towards the nation," President Napolitano said on Saturday. | "I cannot shun my responsibility towards the nation," President Napolitano said on Saturday. |
| He said he was responding to the cross-party appeal to stay on for another seven years to try to help resolve the crisis. | |
| Party leaders expressed concern over a "grave situation", urging parliament to "show unity" in re-electing Mr Napolitano. | Party leaders expressed concern over a "grave situation", urging parliament to "show unity" in re-electing Mr Napolitano. |
| He now needs to secure 504 votes out of 1,007 electors to be confirmed for a second term. The vote was expected at 13:30 GMT. | He now needs to secure 504 votes out of 1,007 electors to be confirmed for a second term. The vote was expected at 13:30 GMT. |
| On Friday, the leader of Italy's centre-left alliance, Pier Luigi Bersani, promised to step down once parliament elected a new president. | On Friday, the leader of Italy's centre-left alliance, Pier Luigi Bersani, promised to step down once parliament elected a new president. |
| Mr Bersani announced the news to his Democratic Party (PD) after many centre-left MPs refused to back his preferred candidate for president. | Mr Bersani announced the news to his Democratic Party (PD) after many centre-left MPs refused to back his preferred candidate for president. |
| The centre-left failed to gain an overall majority at February's general election despite coming first. | The centre-left failed to gain an overall majority at February's general election despite coming first. |