What is Italy’s Five Star Movement, who is Beppe Grillo and how did its campaign sway Matteo Renzi’s reforms referendum?
Populist party that rails against the EU, corruption and globalism played leading role in 'No' campaign
A REFERENDUM deciding the future of Italy's constitution led to the crushing defeat of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's 'Yes' side against the 'No' campaign led by the Five Star Movement.
The anti-establishment party fronted by comedian and blogger Beppe Grillo has gone from strength-to-strength since its founding in 2009.
But what exactly does it stand for, who is its leader and what was its impact on the crucial referendum that many believe is a symptom of populists uprisings around the world?
What is Italy's Five Star Movement?
The Five Star Movement is a recently-formed party that sees itself as above traditional left-right politics.
Its populist stance sees it rail against EU bureaucracy, globalism and establishment parties and politicking.
Its five policy pillars or "stars" show its broad-church approach for gaining support.
It advocates free water, sustainable transport, sustainable development, free internet access and environmentalism.
These key issues have been expanded to encompass a general "degrowth" position of sustainable economics, zero-cost living, nonviolence and an isolated stance on foreign affairs.
It has become a huge force in Italian politics, gaining 109 members of the Chamber of Deputies in 2013 and in 2016 MS5 member Virginia Raggi was elected Mayor of Rome.
Who is Beppe Grillo?
The former comedian, 68, made a name for himself on Italian TV in the 1970s and 1980s.
He began his anti-austerity movement a decade ago with his ‘V-Day Celebration’ rallies, aimed at the Italian political class who he claims are corrupt.
The V was meant to capture the ‘V for Vendetta’ populist spirit but the V stood for ‘Vaffanculo’ the Italian word for ‘f*** off’. He has gathered a massive online following from right across the political spectrum, from Left to Right.
He founded his non-party-political ‘party’ in 2009 with a flagship policy to abandon Italy’s membership of the Euro single currency.
He opposes free trade deals between the EU and the US and between the EU and Canada and favours more protectionist trade policies. That could be bad news for Britain trying to get a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.
He wants lower taxes for the poor.
He campaigns on environmentalism and on opposition to corruption.
The centrepoint of the Five Star Movement is opposition to traditional political representation and the usual structures and institutions of democracy which he claims are open to abuse by politicians and too remote from ordinary people.
His support is based on his blog and online membership of his organisation.
His first V-Day rally highlighted the names of 24 Italian politicians who had been convicted of crimes including corruption, tax evasion and abetting murder. He wants a ‘Bill of Popular Initiative’ to remove from office all Italian parliamentarians with criminal convictions.
He is not an MP himself and, under his own policies, would not be able to stand because in 1980 he was found guilty of manslaughter for a car accident in which he was the driver. Three passengers lost their lives.
He does not believe MPs should be autonomous but merely spokespeople for their constituents.
He wants the power for MPs who are judged not to be representing their constituents to be recalled; expels MPs representing M5S if he does not think they are toeing the movement’s line; and M5S MPs have to vote in Parliament according to the result of online polls of M5S members.
What was the movement's impact on Renzi's reform referendum?
The December 4 referendum asked voters whether they approve a law that amends the Italian Constitution and reforms the powers of the country's parliament.
The bill was put forward by PM Matteo Renzi, who staked his future on the attempt to change the political system.
He wanted to strengthen central government and weaken the Senate — the upper house of parliament.
His opponents — including some in his own party — had argued that the reforms would give the prime minister too much power.
The voters agreed, with 60 per cent saying No to the reforms.
The referendum was widely regarded as a chance to reject establishment politics.
The Five Star Movement, who led the No campaign, said it would be ready to govern Italy now that Renzi has resigned.
Grillo called for an election to be called "within a week".
Another opposition leader Matteo Salvini, of the anti-immigrant Northern League, called the referendum a "victory of the people against the strong powers of three-quarters of the world".
The outcome energised the anti-immigrant party, an ally of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen. The party called for an early general election in Italy.
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