Italy sets January 24 to start voting for new president

Former premiers Silvio Berlusconi, left, and Mario Draghi, right, are expected to campaign for the Italian presidency (Sandro Pace/AP)

Italy’s lower chamber of parliament has set January 24 as the start date to begin voting for a new president, officially kicking off a campaign that is expected to see Premier Mario Draghi and ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi vie for the prestigious job.

The victor, who is chosen by around 1,000 “big electors” among MPs and regional representatives, will replace President Sergio Mattarella, whose seven-year term ends on February 3. The voting is expected to contineu for several rounds over several days.