BEIJING, Feb. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Sergio Mattarella, a constitutional court judge, has been sworn in as Italy's new president.
The 73-year-old Mattarella was elected by lawmakers on Saturday to succeed the elderly Giorgio Napolitano. Mattarella becomes Italy's 12th president since the country became a Republic after World War Two. His election has been seen as a political coup for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Mattarella is a member of Renzi's Democratic Party, but started his career as a Christian Democrat. The presidency in Italy is a largely ceremonial role. But the holder of the office can play a significant role at times of political crises, which have been a regular feature of Italian life for the last half century.
(Source: CNTV.com)
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