The end of the 5 Star Movement, the perfect crime
The 5-Star Movement was born as a promise of change, now with Giuseppe Conte it risks becoming a party of phone numbers to the left of the PD. But that space is already occupied by another small party. The risk, therefore, is extinction, and then all the latest manoeuvres will have been for nothing.
by Paolo Becchi
4' min read
4' min read
After Silvio Berlusconi the real political novelty in Italy came with Gianroberto Casaleggio . The television man had been replaced by the network man. And, believe me, Berlusconi knew in 2013 that he was now the past and Casaleggio the future. The medium is the message. But Casaleggio alone, with the temperament he had, would never have made it in politics: hence the meeting with Beppe Grillo and from then on Grillo realised that computers were not just for being hammered during a show. Thus was born a perfect couple that knows how to unite the net and the square. One the Mazzini and the other the Garibaldi of the new Italian Risorgimento.
The guiding idea: politics is not a profession, even Lenin's cook can sit in parliament or go into government. But she has to be there for a short time. Two terms maximum and then back to being a cook. There is no need for parties. But yes a bit of representative democracy is needed, but with the imperative mandate and in any case direct democracy, with referendums without a quorum. Key inspirer? Adriano Olivetti , his critique of parties and the political order of communities. There was more, of course, but it would be a long story to tell.
The first period, after the 2013 elections, is tough and there would be many things to tell that nobody knows, but it is water under the bridge. The attempt to bring down the government in the autumn failed, because Berlusconi did not actually control a part of his party. In 2014 Casaleggio, already sick with a brain tumour, made a big strategic mistake and lost the European elections. You cannot end an otherwise weak election campaign by praising Enrico Berlinguer . In April 2016 he died, and with him died the first MoVimento.
Actually, things are more complex, but I will summarise. Casaleggio dies in the family but politically alone: relations had cooled down a lot with Grillo. Casaleggio on his deathbed founds with his son Davide the Rousseau Association , because he is afraid that Grillo will derail from the MoVimento's project lines. Luigi Di Maio is smarter than everyone else and agrees with David. Grillo steps to the side. He remains as guarantor but defiles himself. The new MoVimento was born, led by Di Maio with the support of Casaleggio jr, founder with him of the new association (while Grillo remains on the sidelines, content with the gratuity of the noble - and risk-free - role of Guarantor).
Elections 2018, victory, but the votes are not enough, the yellow-green government is born but the 'two guys' make a tragic mistake: that of putting a third party at the head of the government believing they control it; whereas from the very beginning the 'people's advocate' had begun to weave his web. Salvini falls into the trap, which he himself had prepared, and instead of blowing up the government and going to elections, he will be the one to jump. Mattarella was very skilful and closed the game.
