Italy re-elects President Mattarella, government unity bruised

A general view of the Chambers of Deputies as it continues voting to elect the country's new President, in Rome, Italy, January 29, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/Pool

ROME (Reuters) -Italian head of state Sergio Mattarella was re-elected for a second term on Saturday, with party chiefs asking him to carry on after a week of fruitless, often fraught voting in parliament to choose a successor.

Relieved party chiefs thanked 80-year-old Mattarella for agreeing to remain, but the failed attempts to replace him during seven rounds of balloting have left deep scars, with potentially dangerous repercussions for political stability.