Secret ballot to elect president of Italy begins as Berlusconi drops out

Lawmakers and regional delegates will vote for successor to Sergio Mattarella, who steps down on 3 February

Italian parliamentarians will begin casting their votes for a new president on Monday after the scandal-plagued Silvio Berlusconi abandoned his dream of becoming the next head of state.

More than 1,000 lawmakers and regional delegates will participate in the complex secret ballot, described as being akin to the appointment of a new pope, that could go through several rounds before a successor to Sergio Mattarella, who is due to step down on 3 February, is elected.