Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said Saturday he would remain in his post until his mandate expires on May 15, following speculation that he might resign order to unblock the political deadlock. According to dpa, Napolitano acknowledged the "problems that the country is facing," but said he would continue to "exercise my mandate until the end." He said he would now wait to hear fresh proposals, after a first round of consultations with political leaders ended with no possible government coalition emerging following February's inconclusive general election.
