15 December 2014, 12:59 GMT
ROME, January 31 (Sputnik) – The Italian Constitutional Court judge Sergio Mattarella was elected as the 12th president of Italy Saturday.
Mattarella, 73, was chosen by more than 1,000 lawmakers and regional representatives in the fourth round of voting, after three inconclusive votes in the past two days. Mattarella's vote passed the 505-vote threshold.
"Good job, President Mattarella! Long live Italy," Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on his Twitter account.
Italy's previous president, Giorgio Napolitano, 89, resigned earlier this month. His term was supposed to last until 2020.
