by MK
Italy has been in the process of electing its head of state since Monday afternoon, a routine matter which takes place every seven years. This time, however, all eyes are on PM Mario Draghi, a top contender for the job who helped Italy get back on its feet in just over a year in power.
A joint session of Italian parliament, senators and regional delegates (three per region), known as “great electors,” began a secret ballot on Monday afternoon at 3 pm. The election of the new president, who will replace the current head of state Sergio Mattarella, generally takes a few days with results notoriously hard to predict.
All eyes in this election are on prime minister Mario Draghi, who in just a year was able to stabilize Italian politics.
Draghi is facing opposition from Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party (Billionaire former premier Silvio Berlusconi withdrew from the contest on Saturday) and also Matteo Salvini of the anti-immigration League party, who says he should stay where he is. Those against say that the country could return to more chaotic politics risking all Draghi set in motion. Supporters say that Draghi might bring a stabilizing influence.
Italy’s presidency is largely ceremonial, but the head of state wields considerable power during political crises, from dissolving parliament to picking new prime ministers and denying mandates to fragile coalitions.
