25/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) has elected the Italian Socialist Giovanni Di Stasi as its leader. Mr Di Stasi, who has been the President of the Chamber of Regions for three years, will succeed the outgoing CLRAE President, the Austrian Herwig van Staa, for a term of two years. The 54-year old Mr Di Stasi is a former member of the Italian Parliament, and former President of the Region of Molise.