Italian president says citizens are priority after inconclusive vote

FILE PHOTO: Italian President Sergio Mattarella leaves at the end of his consultations at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, Italy, December 10, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) - Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday called for politicians to act responsibly, as parties jockeyed to form a government after an inconclusive election.

Mattarella, who is usually limited to a ceremonial role but must now step into the political ring and broker a deal between rivals, made the appeal in his first public address since Sunday's vote delivered a hung parliament.