The hurricane called Grillo has recently hit Italy and now is sweeping away everything on its way, while the big national parties are desperately trying to hold their ground, hoping that it could be enough to contrast it and to present a viable alternative to the electorate. However, they still keep doing the same huge mistake: to define the vote given to Grillo’s new party as “anti-politics”, namely something falling outside the discussion on general problems which affects the country and consisting only of general protest without a clear perspective.It is a clear misjudgment, because the answer offered by him and his devoted supporters is intimately of political nature. The citizen react to the actual, almost unbearable situation, by voting such a political movement or simply by refraining from voting, as confirmed moreover by several polls.
The “5 Stars Movement” (“Movimento 5 Stelle”), which is its name, is now the first party in Sicily after the regional elections held last sunday (even if the media have been requested to use the definition of “political force” instead than “party” by the Movement itself). Its founder, Mr. Beppe Grillo indeed, is now calling on his supporters with the aim to conquer the next objective: Rome, the national Government.
The former comedian has laid down his (strict) rules: elections to be held via the Internet with lists including those who have already fought for the movement; an ethical code to be implemented; the obligation to resign for those convicted in trial; transparent accounting of all expenditures incurred during the activity as a member of the Parliament; a cap equal to 5.000 € for the indemnity granted to the members themselves, with the rest to be given back to State; absolute prohibition of using the title “honorable”; no agreements with other parties, groups or coalition in the Parliament with limited exceptions.
The Movement’s unexpected boom has led some active members to align closer to the founder, in compliance with the current political strategy. “We are coming – says Mr. Giovanni Favia, an activist heavily criticized by Grillo himself only one month ago for having expressed a negative opinion on Mr. Gianroberto Casaleggio, a man seen by many as the real mind behind the M5S, which had been caught by a journalist when Favia thought the interview was over – we can really win the general elections. I’m pleased, Mr. Grillo has done a good job by linking the eligibility of the candidates to their effective work on the territory.” On his Facebook profile, Mr. Favia went on to hold “His [Grillo's] main concern is to keep away from the movement all those who will try to take advantage of the Movement’s success without having done anything concretely. How could someone say that he is not right?” He adds, then: “It seems to me that he intends to present himself as the official leader of the Movement, namely the candidate to the role of Prime Minister. At the same time, however, he would just represent it, without really applying for a candidature: he would be a guarantee. A really brilliant idea, he’s a genius!” [It's really hard to understand what he claims... ndr]
The Sicilian Regional Elections’ outcome will compel the other party to find a possible agreement between them in order to tackle the rise of Mr. Grillo’s movement. The People of Freedom party (PDL) confirms his connection with the Northern League (Lega Nord): Mr. Berlusconi and Mr. Bossi, although the latter is no longer the official chairman, should meet soon to discuss about a possible alliance, with the former interested in knowing what Mr. Casini (leader of Union of Centre, UDC) will decide to do.
Mr. Casini has recently praised what Mr. Alfano, current chairman of PDL, has done so far, but at the same time leans towards left-wing Democratic Party with which he could agree upon a common platform: “I think that Grillo’s movement amounts now at 25% of the vote – he said – therefore an alliance between moderate left and the other forces that are away from extremism is necessary now more than ever. Sicily has always been the forerunner and an important indication for the parties, and this is the only possible answer against populist and extremist tendencies.”
Translation by Stefano Iuretich
Original Article from L’Indipendenza