ROME, April 23 (Xinhua) - Pier Luigi Bersani on Tuesday confirmed his resignation as the head of the center-left Democratic Party (PD) after internal divisions led to failure of repeated efforts to elect a PD-backed Italy's president last week.

Bersani told a party meeting that the PD was on the edge of a "serious crisis." He said he announced his resignation when PD candidates Franco Marini (former Senate Speaker) and Romano Prodi (former center-left prime minister) were rejected by "rebels."

The outgoing leader scolded the many PD presidential electors who did not keep their promises to back their party's candidates in "a crucial moment" for Italy's destiny.

The PD Vice Secretary Enrico Letta will lead the party in the current difficult political phase, Bersani said. A party assembly is expected to be called to elect Bersani's successor.

Bersani urged his party members to seek a shared solution for their country's good by providing common "strengths and resources" in supporting the formation of a new government.

Florence Mayor and PD rising star Matteo Renzi, 38, played down speculation from some party members that the PD could consider to propose him as its candidate for prime minister.

The Italian parliament on Saturday reelected 87-year-old President Giorgio Napolitano for a second mandate following days of inconclusive voting.

The move, unprecedented in Italy's history, was aimed at giving a government to the recession-plagued economy after political parties were unable to reach consensus following the Feb. 24-25 national elections. Endi

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