Banker-Politician Elected President

Carlo Azeglio Ciampi won Italy’s presidency with broad support from lawmakers on the left and right. Ciampi, who was treasury minister, won after a single round of voting by the two houses of Parliament and regional representatives--only the third such victory in postwar Italy. He garnered 707 of 990 votes, more than the two-thirds needed. To many, the easy win suggested that the center-right and center-left are ready to work together on reforming Italy’s cumbersome political system. A longtime central bank governor and political independent, Ciampi, 78, won respect for overseeing Italy’s surprise qualification for the debut of Europe’s common currency, the euro.