In 2006 Giorgio Napolitano was elected as president of Italy. Giorgio Napolitano is the 11th president of Italy, and is one of the oldest as well. Giorgio Napolitano was the first former communist to ascend to Italy's most complicated and stressing job; the president. He began his political career in Italy's now defunct communist party, but was described as the least communist communist the party has ever had joined. Giorgio Napolitano is the first Italian president to be re-elected to serve a second term, as president.