ROME (Reuters) - Italy's divided parliament begins voting for a new state president on Thursday, with former Senate Speaker Franco Marini the main candidate in a ballot that will severely strain the unity of the center-left alliance led by Pier Luigi Bersani.Full story
ROME (Reuters) - Outgoing Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and center-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani moved closer to agreement on Monday on choosing a new president, a vital step to ending the stalemate created by an inconclusive election in February. Full story
ROME (Reuters) - Silvio Berlusconi, the 76-year-old leader of Italy's center-right bloc, told thousands of supporters gathered in central Rome he was ready for a snap vote as his rival began talks to try to form a government. Full story
Newly appointed Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta smiles next to Pierluigi Bersani
Italian PD leader Pier Luigi Bersani reacts during a news conference in Rome in this February 26, 2013 file photo. Centre-left leader Bersani announced his resignation on April 19, 2013, after party rebels sabotaged two separate candidates he had backed for state president, deepening Italy's politi
Italian PD leader Pier Luigi Bersani reacts during a news conference in Rome February 26, 2013. REUTERS/Tony Gentile
Italian PD leader Pier Luigi Bersani speaks during a news conference in Rome February 26, 2013. REUTERS/Tony Gentile
Democratic party leader Pierluigi Bersani casts his vote at a polling station in Piacenza, February 24, 2013. REUTERS/Paolo Bona
Democratic Party leader Pier Luigi Bersani celebrates his victory in downtown Rome December 2, 2012. Bersani won a run-off primary election by a huge margin on Sunday to become the Italian centre-left candidate for prime minister in national elections early next year. REUTERS/ Stringer
