Despite an awkward stance on immigration, the Five Star Movement continues to mobilise widespread support

The comedian and TV personality Beppe Grillo has shaken up Italian politics since launching his Five Star Movement, and the party continued its success by securing a large share of the vote in Italy’s recent regional elections. Grillo has also faced criticism, however, following a tweet on the subject of immigration in which he stated that new elections should be held before “Rome is swamped by rats, rubbish and illegal immigrants”. Nicolò Conti writes on the development of the party, noting that while its stance on immigration remains ambiguous, the Five Star Movement continues to offer a new kind of radical and popular opposition to the Italian government.

ESO: Background information: Italian regional elections, 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/italian-regional-elections-2015/

ESO: Background information: Italy slams rebel north as migrant crisis deepens http://www.europeansources.info/record/italy-slams-rebel-north-as-migrant-crisis-deepens/

ESO: Background information: The Emergence of a New Party in the Italian Party System: Rise and Fortunes of the Five Star Movement http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-emergence-of-a-new-party-in-the-italian-party-system-rise-and-fortunes-of-the-five-star-movement/

ESO: Background information: Beppe Grillo’s Five Star Movement must adapt if it wants to become a permanent feature of Italy’s party system http://www.europeansources.info/record/beppe-grillos-five-star-movement-must-adapt-if-it-wants-to-become-a-permanent-feature-of-italys-party-system/

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