Complex sentence: In the run-up of the second ballot Marini's candidacy was retired and, on 19 April, the PD and SEL selected Romano Prodi, a former Prime Minister and President of the European Commission, to be their candidate in the fourth ballot.
Split into simpler sentences: In the run-up of the second ballot Marini's candidacy was retired. On 19 April the PD and SEL selected Romano Prodi, a former Prime Minister and President of the European Commission, to be their candidate in the fourth ballot.