Italian President Giorgio Napolitano is testing lawmaker support for a new government, the next step in Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi's quest for an appointment as prime minister.
Napolitano must determine whether the 39-year-old Renzi, who brought down outgoing-Premier Enrico Letta this week, can count on majorities in both houses of the fragmented parliament. To that end, legislative leaders are filing into the Rome offices of the 88-year-old head of state today for a second and final day of closed-door meetings. Napolitano can either appoint a new premier or call snap elections.
