Lawmakers from both houses of parliament and regional representatives are taking part in the second ballot of Italy's presidential election on Tuesday after the fist round of voting proved inconclusive, as expected.
The majority of the 'grand electors', 672, cast blank papers on Monday with no deal so far between the major political parties on who should replace President Sergio Mattarella, whose seven-year term is coming to an end.
A majority of two-thirds of the 1,009 grand electors is needed to vote in a new president in the first three ballots.
After that, so as of Thursday, a simple majority of 505 is sufficient.
Talks have intensified between the political leaders and on Monday Premier Mario Draghi had separate meetings with League leader Matteo Salvini, Democratic Party Chief Enrico Letta and 5-Star Movement head and ex-premier Giuseppe Conte.
Draghi is among the favourites to be the nation's next president, although if the former ECB chief is elected head of State, it could lead to early elections.
This is because many find it hard to imagine the broad spectrum of parties supporting his national unity executive agreeing to get behind another figure.
At the weekend Salvini said it would be "dangerous" for Draghi to leave the role of premier at the moment.
Under the Constitution, the head of State acts as a sort of referee of Italian politics and the role is especially important at times of political crisis.
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