The drama within Italy’s 5-Star Movement continues as tensions escalate following a vote that effectively severed ties with co-founder Beppe Grillo. This decision, made during a weekend assembly, reflects the movement’s ongoing shift from its radical roots towards a more mainstream political stance.
Grillo Ousted and the Party’s Future
In a surprising turn, party members voted 63% to 29% to abolish Grillo’s role as guarantor, a title that held significant weight since he helped establish the party in 2009. With this official position gone, it seems the party is keen on embracing a new direction under the leadership of Giuseppe Conte.
- Grillo previously earned an annual salary of 300,000 euros as a communications adviser.
- The vote to remove him is seen as a step towards forming alliances with other political parties.
- Conte, who has been at odds with Grillo since 2021, emphasised the need to focus on national issues over personal disputes.
The Call for a Re-Vote
In the aftermath of this decision, Grillo has challenged the legitimacy of the vote. According to Conte, the party plans to hold a repeat vote, with hopes of resolving the internal conflict without judicial intervention.
“We have to deal with the needs of the country, where the movement wants to provide solutions and battles to be won,” he stated, hinting at the growing urgency for the party to regain public trust.
Party’s Diminishing Popularity
Once a formidable force, winning 32% of the vote in the 2018 elections, the party’s popularity has dwindled, now standing around 11% in recent polls. Internal strife and shifting dynamics within the leadership have contributed to this decline.
Grillo’s supporters, including former Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli, remain defiant, claiming that despite the setback, Grillo