Silvio Berlusconi Is Considering Dropping His Bid to Be Italy’s President
- Former premier was cold calling lawmakers to test waters
- Mario Draghi likely to benefit if Berlusconi steps aside
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Media mogul Silvio Berlusconi may withdraw from the race for Italy’s presidency within days, a move that would boost Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s chances of being elected as the next head of state.
Berlusconi has been talking to party officials in a bid to secure the backing he’d need to win the ballot that starts on Jan. 24, according to people familiar with the matter. But he is realizing he’d fall short of the votes needed and is now preparing to pull out of the contest, the people said.