Frank Scalfaro of West Covina,California, is helping with his city's entry in the parade, which also has an aviation theme.

VOA: standard.2009.12.30

Italy's president, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, unlikely to dissolve parliament during his last year of office, is another nimble ex-Christian Democrat.

ECONOMIST: Italy

In the midst of crises, Mr Scalfaro picked the other four, including the incumbent, Mr D'Alema, and Mr Ciampi himself .

ECONOMIST: Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Italy��s new president

In his seven-year term, Mr Scalfaro tapped six prime ministers, of whom only two, Silvio Berlusconi on the right and Mr Prodi on the centre-left, had actually won an election.

ECONOMIST: Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Italy��s new president