In Italy, sighs of relief as Mattarella stays put

Call an Italian MP today, and one will most likely hear a note of relief in their voice - similar to that of a high school student who passed the 'Esame di Maturità' (a graduation exam as feared in Italy as the Baccalauréat in France.)

Italy's parliament re-elected 80-year-old head of state Sergio Mattarella for a second term at the weekend.

The Catholic left-winger from Sicily with ice-blue eyes was supported by almost all the...