1st LD Writethru: Sergio Mattarella sworn in as new Italian president

New Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday pledged to guarantee the constitutional foundation and rule of law of his country's legal system as he was sworn in at the lower chamber.

Mattarella, a former constitutional judge, in his inaugural address defined the role of head of state as a "referee" who has to make the law punctually applied.

"The referee must be and will be impartial," the 73-year-old president stressed.

"And players must help him with their honesty," he added.

Mattarella highlighted the difficult times Italians are facing because of the economic crisis, which caused rampant unemployment especially among young generations.

"The urgency of institutional and economic reforms derives from the duty to give effective answers to the country," he said.

"Citizens are asking for transparency and coherence in (political) decisions," Mattarella went on saying, calling on politics to be a "common good" for everyone.

Mattarella, who entered politics in the 1980s after his brother was killed by the Sicilian mafia, particularly stressed the need of "national unity" in combating the organized crime.

Right to education and work, technological advancement, safeguard of cultural heritage, justice rapid response, pluralism of mass media, right to health care and individual freedoms, fight against tax evasion and corruption were among the main topics cited in his inaugural address.

Mattarella also mentioned Italy's full support to the international community in the fight against global menaces, including terrorism.

He said the European Union (EU) represents a "frontier of hope" and the "perspective of a true political union must be relaunched without hesitation."

The swearing-in ceremony took place in front of the 1,009 lawmakers and regional representatives who elected Italy's 12th head of state with 665 votes on Saturday.

Mattarella then saluted the military forces and laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Rome's Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) monument.

He later went to the Quirinal Palace, the presidential residence, for his installation ceremony in the presence of Italian authorities.

Senate speaker Pietro Grasso, who had the temporary presidency after last month's resignation of Giorgio Napolitano, formally transferred powers to Mattarella for his seven-year mandate. Endit