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Italian president says forming new government cannot be rushed

Reuters

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  View PhotoReuters/Reuters - Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano (2nd R) talks to his German counterpart Joachim Gauck (R) as his wife Clio Bittoni and Gauck's partner Daniela Schadt look on upon their arrival at Bellevue palace in Berlin February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

BERLIN (Reuters) - Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said on Thursday that the formation of a new government could not be rushed because of what he said were unfounded fears that Italy was a threat to the stability of Europe.

Napolitano told reporters during a visit to Berlin that the Italian constitution requires 20 days between elections - which were held on Sunday and Monday - and the new parliament sitting for the first time.

"I don't see right now how it could be accelerated. But it is important to say that Italy is not without a government, there is a government in office until the new one is sworn in," he said. "Italy is not a contagion risk for anyone."

(Reporting by Stephen Brown)