ROME (AP) — Italian political party leaders have formally asked Italian 80-year-old President Sergio Mattarella to stay on for a second seven-year term after days of voting failed to deliver an alternative candidate. The chorus of entreaties to persuade him to stay after his term ends on Feb. 3 gained momentum Saturday after a seventh round of balloting by Italian lawmakers once again failed to produce a presidential winner. State TV said among those pressing for the president to stay in office was Premier Mario Draghi, who is concerned that squabbling among his coalition’s parties would erode Italy’s stability. Also backing Mattarella was former Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who recently dropped his own bid to be president.
Political parties beg Italy’s 80-year-old president to stay
