New president is sworn in adds Ciampi

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(16 May 2006) • 1. Wide exterior of Italian parliament • 2. Wide interior of parliament • 3. Italian President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, arriving • 4. Mid of Napolitano (left) with president of Parliament lower house Fausto Bertinotti • 5. Wide interior of parliament • 6. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Giorgio Napolitano, Italian President of the Republic: • I swear to be faithful to the Republic and to loyally respect its constitution. • 7. Wide of Napolitano speaking • 8. Pan left parliament • 9. Rack-focus from flag to members of parliament • 10. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Giorgio Napolitano, Italian President of the Republic: • Today, my appeal to unity does not mean to hide the strong differences existing, especially at the top level of national politics. • 11. Wide of parliament applauding • 12. Zoom out of parliament applauding • 13. Exterior of Quirinale Presidential Palace • 14. Honour guards on horses • 15. Napolitano getting out of vehicle • 16. Helicopter overhead • 17. Napolitano listening to national anthem • 18. Various of Napolitano walking along red carpet in front of honour guard • 19. Napolitano shaking hands with Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, outgoing President • 20. Napolitano and Ciampi entering palace • 21. Napolitano and Ciampi hugging • 22. Audience applauding • 23. Italian flag on top of Quirinale bell tower • 24. Ciampi bowing • 25. Ciampi getting into vehicle • 26. Vehicle leaving • STORYLINE: • Former Communist Giorgio Napolitano was sworn in as Italy's new president on Monday, opening the way for centre-left leader Romano Prodi to form a government. • Napolitano, who was elected by lawmakers last week, was sworn in during a joint session of Parliament held at the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house. • He is the first ex-Communist to become the Italian head of state. • His first important act will be to give Prodi the mandate to form a government, expected by Wednesday. • Prodi scored a narrow victory over conservative Premier Silvio Berlusconi in April 9-10 elections and has been waiting since then for a new head of state to be in place so he can receive the formal go-ahead to form a government. • In his address to the nation immediately after the swearing-in, Napolitano called for respect between the two political sides at the end of an election campaign dominated by mudslinging and bitter tensions. • His speech was often interrupted by applause. • The seven-year term of outgoing President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi was expiring this month, and Ciampi said he would let his successor give the mandate. • After the ceremony in parliament, Napolitano stopped briefly in front of the monument to the unknown soldier before heading to the Quirinale Palace to attend a ceremony at the end of which he officially took over from Ciampi. • Napolitano, an 80-year-old who has served as a senator-for-life, said he would begin consultations with party leaders from both coalitions on Tuesday. • • Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork • Twitter: / ap_archive • Facebook: / aparchives • Instagram: / apnews • • • You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...

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