(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 17 - League leader Matteo Salvini said
Monday that it will be necessary to verify whether ex-premier
Silvio Berlusconi has the necessary support to become Italy's
next president before lawmakers from both houses of parliament
and regional representatives start voting for a new head of
State on January 24.
Salvini and Giorgio Meloni, the leader of the right-wing
Brothers of Italy party (FdI) party, have said they are in
favour of the Forza Italia leader and media billionaire
succeeding President Sergio Mattarella, whose seven-year term is
coming to an end.
But Berlusconi has not confirmed he will stand amid doubts
whether he has enough votes among the 'grand electors'.
The centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and the 5-Star Movement
(M5S) have said they will not vote for Berlusconi to be
president, saying the head of State should be a more impartial
figure.
"It is necessary to verify if Berlusconi has the numbers before
the start of voting next week," Salvini said.
"When the voting starts, the League, as a responsible party of
government, now and in the coming years, will make a proposal
that I think can be convincing for many people, if not
everyone".
A majority of two-thirds of the 'grand electors' is needed to
vote in a new president in the first three ballots, after which
a simple majority is sufficient. (ANSA).
Must verify support for Berlusconi president - Salvini
MPs, regional reps start voting new head of State next week