Draghi Inching Closer To Presidency As Election Approaches

Prime Minister Mario Draghi is inching closer to becoming the next Italian president, with the eleciton set to take place on Monday 24 January. Earlier today, former prime minsiter and head of the centrist Italia Viva party Matteo Renzi stated that Draghi's presidency would be 'feasible' if there was a plan in place for his successor. Speaking to La Stampa, Renzi stated that "If there is a game scheme ready for the 'after Draghi', then operation Draghi is feasible. Nobody will accept to lose such a valued premier without having certainty on the future (of the government)".

• Parliamentary officials and the gov't are attempting to create workarounds to allow the 1,009 electors (senators, deputies, regional representatives) to vote in person as is required under the constitution.
• Two major issues need to be addressed. Firstly, the gov't has to allow those electors with COVID to travel to Rome for the election, bypassing Italy's strict self-quarantine rules. Secondly, those electors with COVID have to be provided a special outside area near the parliament in which to cast their ballot. While there is a move to solving these problems, there is no agreed solution yet. Should some electors be denied the opportunity to vote it could lead to significant political blowback.