As Itlay’s lawmakers start the process to elect a new president, the centre right has been considering backing ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi to be Mattarella’s replacement but there are doubts about the Forza Italia leader’s chances of taking the top job due to staunch opposition from the Democratic Party (PD) and the 5-Star Movement (M5S).
Premier Mario Draghi is thought to be favourite for the post although that would mean another general election.
It is rumoured that Sergio Mattarella could be re-elected although last week the 80-year-old appeared to dispel such speculation.
Photo: Berlusconi 2020 file image
