Voters cast their ballots during the election of the new Italian president, in Rome, April 18, 2013. Italy's parliament started voting on Thursday morning to elect a successor to President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year term expires in mid-May. (Xinhua/Xu Nizhi)
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Parliament starts voting to elect Italy's next president
ROME, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Italy's parliament started voting on Thursday morning to elect a successor to President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year term expires in mid-May.
A total of 1,007 members, including 630 of the lower house, 315 of the Senate, four life senators and 58 representatives of regional governments gathered in Rome for the election. Full story
Silvio Berlusconi, leader of People of Freedom Party (PDL), casts his ballot during the election of the new Italian President, in Rome, April 18, 2013. Italy's parliament started voting on Thursday morning to elect a successor to President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year term expires in mid-May. (Xinhua/Xu Nizhi)
Senate Speaker Pietro Grasso (2nd L, front) and Chamber of Deputies Speaker Laura Boldrini (3rd L, front) count the ballots during the election of the new Italian President, in Rome, April 18, 2013. Italy's parliament started voting on Thursday morning to elect a successor to President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year term expires in mid-May. (Xinhua/Xu Nizhi)
The election of the new Italian President is held in Rome, April 18, 2013. Italy's parliament started voting on Thursday morning to elect a successor to President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year term expires in mid-May. (Xinhua/Xu Nizhi)
Italy's center-left party head Pier Luigi Bersani (1st R) is seen during the election of the new Italian President, in Rome, April 18, 2013. Italy's parliament started voting on Thursday morning to elect a successor to President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year term expires in mid-May. (Xinhua/Xu Nizhi)
Chamber of Deputies Speaker Laura Boldrini (3rd L, front) presides over the election of the new Italian President, in Rome, April 18, 2013. Italy's parliament started voting on Thursday morning to elect a successor to President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year term expires in mid-May. (Xinhua/Xu Nizhi)
Prime Minister Mario Monti prepares to vote during the election of the new Italian President, in Rome, April 18, 2013. Italy's parliament started voting on Thursday morning to elect a successor to President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year term expires in mid-May. (Xinhua/Xu Nizhi)
