Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Pakistan's late first female Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, whose life was equal parts tragedy and farce, was on Saturday elected president for the second time.
Initially a background character as Bhutto's wife, Zardari was tainted by corruption and other allegations, including absurd kidnapping plots and bribery over trinkets.
Despite a reputation as “Mr. Ten Percent” – given the alleged cut he took for rubber-stamping contracts – a sympathy vote swept him into office when his wife was assassinated in a bomb and gun attack in 2007 .
Between 2008 and 2013, he introduced constitutional reforms rolling back presidential powers, and the 68-year-old's second term will see him hold a largely ceremonial position.
Because of a wheeler-dealer's talent for bouncing back from scams, he has spent more than 11 years in jail, a long time even by the standards of Pakistani politicians.
In 2009, The New York Times said he had a knack for “expert dodging” – “the art of getting himself out of the tight spots he gets himself into”.
The newly-sworn national and provincial MPs and senators voted him out under the terms of the coalition agreement following the February 8 elections amid claims of rigging.