A “sad” Silvio Berlusconi could drop out of Italy’s presidential contest after the failure of a charm offensive designed to woo MPs, an adviser has said.
“He is thinking of an honourable way out,” said the adviser, the MP Vittorio Sgarbi, who claimed Berlusconi’s bid to win the presidency was now a “desperate task”.
A withdrawal by the 85-year-old former prime minister may smooth the path to the presidency for the current prime minister, Mario Draghi, who has strongly hinted he wants the job when incumbent Sergio Mattarella steps down next month.
Elected for seven years by 1,009 parliamentarians and regional politicians, the Italian president officially holds a ceremonial role but has the crucial job of helping form new governments in the wake of Italy’s
