Who’s going to be the next Italian leader? — Here are the main contenders

Emanuele Cremaschi | Getty Images

Silvio Berlusconi, President of Forza Italia (Go Italy) and former Italian Prime Minister, gives a speech during a political rally on February 25, 2018 in Milan, Italy.

Silvio Berlusconi has been prime minister of Italy three times. Despite a series of sex scandals and tax fraud convictions, the 81-year-old media mogul is once again at the center stage of Italian politics and could have a pivotal role in the upcoming general election.

He cannot become prime minister after being banned from holding public office for six years for tax fraud, although he is appealing the ruling. But as leader of Forza Italia, polls suggest that he could get more votes than Renzi and potentially more than the Five Star Movement too.

His party has joined forces with three other parties – the Northern League, Brothers of Italy and Us with Italy – increasing his chances of winning a majority.