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Italy crisis: President Napolitano agrees to stand again Italy crisis: President Napolitano agrees to stand again
(about 1 hour 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."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 currently under way.
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.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 - both on the left and right - expressed concern over a "grave situation", urging parliament to "show unity" in re-electing widely-respected 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 needs to secure 504 votes out of 1,007 electors to be confirmed for a second term. A vote was being held in parliament on Saturday afternoon.
On Friday, the leader of Italy's centre-left alliance, Pier Luigi Bersani, promised to step down once parliament elected a new president. If Mr Napolitano is re-elected he will be the first president in Italian history to serve two terms, the BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome reports.
Parliament began trying to elect a new president on Thursday, but MPs have since voted five times without producing a clear winner. In increasing desperation they turned to the man who was supposed to retire, our correspondent says.
On Friday, the leader of Italy's centre-left alliance, Pier Luigi Bersani, promised to step down as soon as a new president was elected.
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.