Veteran journalist Paolo Garimberti has won approval from both sides of the political divide as the new chairman of state broadcaster RAI, ending a nine-month deadlock.
Garimberti was nominated by Democratic Party (PD) leader Dario Franceschini on Monday in accordance with norms requiring the post holder to be named by the opposition and was rapidly okayed by the government.
The majority People of Freedom party had already batted back a handful of names previously fielded by the PD, while Ferruccio De Bortoli, another candidate who received bilateral backing, last week turned down the post.
Garimberti, 66, has worked as director of news programmes on RAI Due, the broadcaster's second channel, as well as top editorialist and deputy director of La Repubblica.
Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Tuesday he was pleased the stalemate had been resolved.
''(Garimberti) is a respectable person of good sense,'' he said.
Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti will announce the choice of chairman to an assembly of RAI shareholders on Wednesday, and Garimberti will then have to get the go ahead from RAI's parliamentary watchdog.
Former RAI chairman and PD senator Sergio Zavoli was elected head of the watchdog last month after a similar period of deadlock, during which PD Senator Riccardo Villari elected by the centre right, refused to step down for three months despite calls from across the political spectrum.
Villari was eventually ejected from the PD but the committee had to be dissolved to allow for the election of a new president.
Zavoli, one of Italy's most respected broadcasters and journalists, enjoys the support of the centre left and centre right.
The presidency of the committee traditionally goes to the parliamentary opposition.
