Italy presidential election still up in the air

Italy's presidential election was still up in the air Friday, as the centre-left failed to secure enough support in parliament for its candidate, former premier and European Commission president Romano Prodi, BBC reports.

Prodi secured less than 400 in the fourth round of voting, where a 504-threshold was needed to win the race, and stepped down as candidate.

The presidential elections are held in an atmosphere of political crisis that emerged in the country after the parliamentary elections at the end of February. The powers of the incumbent President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano expire in May.

In Italy the president is elected by secret ballot of members of both Houses of Parliament, with participation of delegates from all regions of the country.

The next two rounds of voting will be held in Italy on Saturday.