ROME (REUTERS) - Italy's parliament failed to elect a president in its first vote on Thursday, with internal party divisions undermining the centre-left's official candidate, former trade unionist and ex-Senate speaker Franco Marini.

With the count still continuing it was already clear that Mr Marini could not reach the required 672 votes for a two-thirds majority of the 1007 parliamentarians and regional representatives.

A second vote will be held later on Thursday, also requiring a two-thirds majority. Starting from the fourth vote, which would be held on Friday, a simple majority would be sufficient for a candiate to be elected.