Messages of congratulations are pouring in from all over Europe and beyond to the Palazzo del Qurinale in Rome following the news that Sergio Mattarella has been re-elected as president of Italy for a second term, breaking a political stalemate that threatened to bring the country to a new political crisis.
Mattarella had for long insisted that he was not seeking a second term, however the 80-year-old emerged as the most popular choice after six days of often tense voting in Rome.
He had expressed a desire to leave office, but local media reported Prime Minister Mario Draghi had convinced him to stay for the "stability" of Italy.
He was formally re-elected on Saturday forna second 7 year term, following an eighth round of voting.
Speaking after Saturday evening's vote, Mr Mattarella that he felt a "sense of responsibility" to remain in office in light of the health and economic challenges facing the country.
The former Constitutional Court judge added that "duty to the nation must prevail over my own personal choices".
