A new head of state will be elected today in Italy. The bicameral parliament then convenes for the election of the President of the Republic. However, it is more of a political game than an actual election. Current Prime Minister and former President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi seems to be the favourite, especially now that ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has announced that he is putting aside his ambitions.
In Italy, just over a thousand MPs, senators and representatives from the 20 regions elect the president. A two-thirds majority is required in the first three rounds to win. In the fourth round of voting, a simple majority is sufficient. So it could take days before the new president is known.
It is not a transparent process and the choice is mainly made in the back rooms by the most important politicians. They have so far failed to reach a deal. The election of a successor to incumbent President Sergio Mattarella is therefore eagerly anticipated. There is no certain winner yet, and there are no official candidates either.
The 85-year-old Berlusconi has been talking about the last few weeks, but he suddenly announced on Saturday evening that he did not want to become president. Berlusconi had the support of his own Forza Italia party and the far-right parties Lega and Fratelli d’Italia, but he has called on them to put forward a new joint candidate.
Will Prime Minister Draghi move on?
Media is also speculating about a candidacy of incumbent Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who is seen as a frontrunner. His international weight would serve Italy well as president. But more and more MPs fear that the governing coalition would fall apart if Prime Minister Draghi moves on to the presidency. That could lead to early elections.
Other possible candidates include former House Speaker Pier Ferdinando Casini, former Prime Minister Giuliano Amato and current Justice Minister Marta Cartabia.
The president has an important role in Italy, especially in times of crisis. He can, among other things, dissolve the parliamentary chambers and appoint ministers. Mattarella’s term ends in February after seven years. Traditionally, presidents do not run for re-election after their term in office.
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