The election takes place by secret ballot, as required by the assembly's standing orders. Pursuant to the current rules of procedure, an absolute majority of the whole membership is needed to win on the first ballot. On the second and third ballot, a simple majority of votes cast (including blank votes) suffices. If the first three ballots fail to deliver a winner, a runoff is held between the two candidates who got the most votes on the third ballot.
History
The election took place on 13 October 2022, over three weeks after the 2022 Italian general election. It took place by secret ballot, as required by the assembly's standing orders. Liliana Segre, being the oldest Senator present, served as the acting presiding officer.[1]
Parties who did not belong to the centre-right coalition instructed their members to cast a blank ballot.
All but two of the 18 Forza Italia senators refused to support La Russa, and decided not to cast a ballot. However, La Russa nonetheless managed to be elected President on the first ballot with 116 votes, due to support from some members of opposition parties.[2]