ROME – While the centre-left parties are still undecided over who should be the next President of the Republic, there has been a shift on the right, with the Northern League leader Matteo Salvini retracting his support for Silvio Berlusconi, political sources said.

 President Sergio Mattarella will step down from the seven-year mandate on Feb. 3 and the process of selecting his successor will begin Jan. 24.

 Forza Italia and Brothers of Italy parties have indicated they would vote for Berlusconi, but there are doubts as to if he would credibly recieve enough votes. The Northern League initially also showed support for the controversial past Premier, but now has other ideas. Salvini announced he will put forward a proposal that "will be convincing for many, if not for all."

 The leader of the Democratic Party Enrico Letta said in an interview, “the next president must not be a divisive figure, but a figure of unity who can represent everyone and can be in continuity with what President Mattarella represented.” He added that his party will choose someone who “can guide institutions in the best way, in profound harmony with our country.”

 Mario Draghi is a possible runner for President, however that would mean leaving his position as Prime Minister early. In his current role, Draghi is a stable figure that keeps the coalition government united. If he were to leave, the parties that make up the government would be unlikely to hold together, meaning more political upheaval.

 La Repubblica said Monday that half of the Democratic Party supports Draghi staying on as Prime Minister, with MP Goffredo Bettini saying, "the emergency is not over, the most natural thing is that this government continues with the current Prime Minister.”

 Of the far-right parties, Forza Italia has stated that Berlusconi is not divisive, while League leader Matteo Salvini and Brothers of Italy head Giorgia Meloni have not commented.

 The leader of the alternative party Five Star Movement Giuseppe Conte tweeted that Berlusconi as president is “an inadmissible and unacceptable option for us” and is meanwhile deciding on a candidate to back.

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