Five Star stands out among other European anti-establishment movements in that it can not easily be characterised as either left or right. It openly says it is neither. Its programme mixes privatisation with universal income for the poor, as well as a promise to hold a referendum on the euro. It promotes direct, online democracy and criticises all mainstream parties as a single, corrupt entity. There are clear parallels with Podemos in Spain – whose prospects will be measured in this Sunday’s general election – as well as with earlier versions of Syriza, in Greece. But one important contrast is that, although it is anti-globalisation, Five Star rejects references to radical left ideology. A further, deeper difference is that Beppe Grillo’s antics have included inflammatory remarks about immigrants “swamping Rome”, and recently, a racist, pathetic joke about London’s mayor Sadiq Khan. In the European parliament, Five Star representatives sit alongside Ukip’s.
Nor is the spectacular success of Five Star on Sunday entirely disconnected from the old revolving-door politics of Italian politics. Its victory in Rome and especially Turin was helped by the fact that all the rightwing parties, including the extremist Northern League, officially rallied behind Five Star candidates to destabilise Mr Renzi. Despite the much-delayed return of economic growth in Italy, many citizens appear to have become weary of a prime minister whose optimistic tweets – “this time it’s working” or “Italy is back” – can grate. The gulf with grim day-to-day experience of the transport system or rubbish collection has taken a toll. Mr Renzi will no doubt attempt to fight back in the summer months, pointing out that the easy populist slogans of even the more sincere Five Star candidates won’t do much for the country’s grittiest problems. Taking the shine off Five Star is a precondition for Italy beginning to devise more serious solutions.
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