Italian parties seek to solve presidential puzzle as election looms

FILE PHOTO: Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi greet each other during a Youth4Climate pre-COP26 event in Milan, Italy, September 30, 2021. Italian Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's myriad parties held behind-the-scenes talks on Friday seeking to avoid deadlock over the election of the next head of state, with the nomination of Prime Minister Mario Draghi seen as the most probable outcome.

Parliamentarians and regional representatives will convene on Monday for an initial ballot. The vote is secret, and the winner needs a two-thirds majority in any of the first three rounds of voting. An absolute majority is sufficient thereafter.