ROME, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella was sworn in here on Thursday, inaugurating his second seven-year mandate.
This is the second time a head of state is re-elected in Italy since 1948. Mattarella's predecessor Giorgio Napolitano served a second term, and only for less than two years.
After the swearing-in ceremony in the parliament, an acrobatic flight team exhibited in a traditional aerial parade as the president and Prime Minister Mario Draghi were being driven from the lower house to the Quirinale presidential palace.
In Italy, the president is traditionally a ceremonial figure that represents national unity. However, the role becomes crucial in the case of major political impasses.
Italian aerobatic squad Frecce Tricolori performs during a ceremony to celebrate the inauguration of Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome, Italy, Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Italian aerobatic squad Frecce Tricolori performs during a ceremony to celebrate the inauguration of Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome, Italy, Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Italian aerobatic squad Frecce Tricolori performs during a ceremony to celebrate the inauguration of Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome, Italy, Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Italian President Sergio Mattarella arrives at the Quirinale presidential palace in Rome, Italy, Feb. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)
Policemen escort Italian President Sergio Mattarella to the Quirinale presidential palace in Rome, Italy, Feb. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)
Italian President Sergio Mattarella arrives at the Quirinale presidential palace in Rome, Italy, Feb. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)
A 21-gun salute is fired for the inauguration of Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome, Italy, Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
