By Angelo Amante

ROME, (Reuters) – Italy’s centre-right bloc will help Silvio Berlusconi to be elected the new president of the Republic. Rightist League party leader Matteo Salvini stated on Thursday.

On January 24, the Italian parliament will meet to vote for a head of state who replaces Sergio Mattarella. At a Friday meeting, centre-right leaders will discuss the matter.

Salvini declared that “the centre-right is strong and unanimous in its support of Berlusconi,” referring to the statements made by centre-left parties who denounce Berlusconi’s presidential ambitions.

Italy’s presidential election dominates political discourse and is expected to have major consequences for the future of the country.

Mario Draghi, the Prime Minister of Italy, is among the leading candidates. But his promotion as the Head of State’s Quirinale Palace leaves the parties with two options: ask for an election within a year or install a new premier.

Salvini stated that his party was ready to continue in government even though Draghi leaves, while stating again that he wants Draghi to be the premier.

Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party said that it would leave the unity government in the event Draghi goes to the Quirinale.

The ballot among over 1,000 regional and local delegates is used to conduct the presidential election. It is difficult for party leaders and legislators to ensure that the vote goes in secret.

Politicians and analysts believe Berlusconi, who still has to deal with the trials relating to the “Bunga Bunga”, infamous sex parties that he hosted more than a decade back, is unlikely to garner the wide support required to win the election.

Berlusconi still needs at least 50 votes from the centre-right bloc to be elected head of the state. This would require him to get support from the 113 unaffiliated legislators.

Riccardo Molina, lower-house leader in the League, stated to an Italian radio station that Berlusconi was his party’s choice, adding that his camp had to support a candidate from the left.

He said, “It’s no secret that Berlusconi can be a divisive figure.”