European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and his European Commission counterpart Jose Manuel Barroso have congratulated Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on his re-election to the post, according to separate statements issued by their offices.
"On behalf of the European Union and personally I wish him every success in his work and look forward to continue cooperating with him in these challenging times for Italy and the European Union," Rompuy said in a statement issued late on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Barroso noted in a separate statement that Napolitano's re-election "confirms the success of your first mandate, during which you have fulfilled your institutional role to the full as the constitutional guarantor of national unity and in promoting the international standing of the country."
The European Council chief also noted in the statement that Napolitano's re-election came at a crucial time in the integration process, which requires both national governments and the European institutions to display great calmness, courage and farsightedness.
"Now more than ever Europe's citizens are asking our institutions for a renewed democratic commitment capable of overcoming the crisis by restoring growth and jobs. I am sure that, with you as President, Italy, in accordance with its pro-European traditions, will continue to make a decisive contribution to our common European ideal," Barroso added.
Earlier on Saturday, the Italian Parliament re-elected 87-year-old Napolitano as President for a second term after party leaders persuaded him to serve again amidst ongoing political crisis in the country. It effectively made Napolitano the first-ever Italian President to secure a second term in office.
Italian parliamentarians turned to Napolitano after they failed to elect a mutually acceptable successor in the previous five attempts. Napolitano agreed to run again for presidency after main party leaders, both on the left and right, virtually begged him to continue in order to resolve the political stalemate triggered by the inconclusive February elections.
The Italian head of state is mainly a ceremonial figure, but has many essential political functions. The new President will play a crucial role in forming a new government and also has the powers to dissolve Parliament.
Italy's Parliament elections failed to bring about a government as no coalition had enough seat to form a government. Napolitano will now have to continue his mediation efforts with political parties to try and form a broad coalition government.
From: http://www.rttnews.com/ 22/04/2013