Beppe Grillo engages in “counter-communication” and carries out “acts of sabotage”, and with him “something has irreversibly broken down”. Therefore, “the reasons for a contractual collaboration cannot but fail”. Giuseppe Conte’s words appear definitive, establishing a now irreparable rift between the leader and the founder of the 5 Star Movement, which probably preludes the final clash on 23 and 24 November next, when the party’s constituent assembly will be held.
Conte ‘fires’ Grillo with statements based on Bruno Vespa’s latest book, which comes out on 30 October. “Beppe Grillo is responsible for a counter-communication which undermines the reasons for a contractual collaboration”, or for the compensation of 300 thousand euros that the Movement pays to the guarantor for its “communication” activities. “Grillo claimed the compensation as a guarantor also in the last letters he wrote to me”, continues Conte, and “I have never accepted that he was paid for this function, which has an intrinsic moral value and is not compatible with any remuneration”. However, “a compromise was reached by rewarding his well-known communication skills to strengthen the image of the movement”, explains Conte, observing however that “Grillo is carrying out acts of sabotage, compromising the objective of releasing new energies”. In short, it’s over. “Something has irreversibly broken down” in their relationship with the comedian, notes the former prime minister, who admits that in the past he did not like his “poisonous attitudes towards me”. And now “seeing that a process of democratic participation that takes us back to the original ideals of Casaleggio is being so blatantly opposed has made me very sad”, he concludes, because “you see Grillo fighting against his own community”.
Grillo doesn’t reply, not even with the irony of one of his social posts. His staff simply report that the contract with the Movement is “in force” and there is no communication to the contrary. From the M5S headquarters in Campo Marzio it filters that the consultancy relationship with the founder is “still in force” but “will expire naturally in the next few months”. Nobody knows the date (the agreement is highly confidential), but informed parliamentary sources assume that it should close at the end of the year. In any case – add the M5S sources – for Conte “it is no longer possible to renew it in these conditions”. A position that sounds like a warning and which is received as such by the guarantor’s entourage: if he were to continue to behave as in recent weeks – this is the sense – the revocation of the office would be inevitable, because for the president M5S Grillo is not honoring the contract.
Furthermore, it does not seem a coincidence that the previews on the words entrusted by Conte to Vespa arrive while the leader of the five stars himself is in Liguria (at Grillo’s ‘home’) for the closing of the electoral campaign for the regional elections, where he is running against center-left coalition and the Movement the former senator Nicola Morra, who has been out of the party for some time but considered a loyalist of the founder. Who, in fact, does not fail to say: “The revocation of Grillo’s contract makes clear the transformation of the M5s into Conte’s personal party, the new sad bush of the Democratic Party”. He’s not the only ex to comment. “Will only one remain between the two contenders?”, Davide Casaleggio, owner of Casaleggio Associati and son of Gian Roberto, is asked: “Yes, but only one voter if they continue like this…”, he replies, adding that of the Movement, “compared to what I knew, only the name” and “the symbol” remained, which “is the property of the association founded by me and Luigi Di Maio”.
The internal controversy within the 5 Stars also manages to partially attract the attention of other political forces. This is “one of the few cases in which I agree with Conte. Grillo worked for a period but now it can be used in reverse, depending on what he says the opposite is done. It can be useful in this sense”, quips the leader of Action Carlo Calenda, while the group leader of FI in the Senate, Maurizio Gasparri, announces “a complaint to the Court of Auditors” asking: “It is money taken from parliamentary groups and, therefore, from public money paid by citizens or from where Is this money coming?”. The reply given to the parliamentary group leaders and M5S treasurers was dry: “It’s incredible how Maurizio Gasparri manages to seize every possible opportunity to make a bad impression. The compensation given by the 5 Star Movement to Beppe Grillo is totally out in the open. Console yourself: The funds of the parliamentary groups have nothing to do with it.”
In the meantime, the constituent process continues and will have its final moment on November 23rd and 24th. The 300 members drawn, in addition to 30 non-members and 30 young people between 14 and 17 years old, faced “the first four days of deliberative discussion”, we read on the Movement’s website, discussing “some of the themes chosen by the members as priorities, with the help of experts. Now we are preparing for the last meeting which will take place on Saturday 26 October”, in which the topic of the Code of Ethics and therefore the limit of two mandates will also be discussed. Grillo considers it a founding rule and does not want it to be touched, just as he opposes the change of name and symbol. Conte wants the base to decide. The visions of the two leaders are now irreconcilable, the showdown is upon us.
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Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Laura Moretti on the Rift within the 5 Star Movement
Editor: Good evening, Dr. Moretti. Thank you for joining us today. We’ve seen significant tension within the 5 Star Movement lately, particularly between its leader, Giuseppe Conte, and founder Beppe Grillo. Can you summarize the current situation for our viewers?
Dr. Moretti: Good evening! Certainly. The recent statements from Giuseppe Conte have essentially marked a turning point in the relationship between him and Beppe Grillo. Conte has accused Grillo of engaging in what he describes as “counter-communication” that undermines their collaborative efforts within the party. Their upcoming constituent assembly on November 23-24 is likely to be crucial, as it could redefine the party’s direction and leadership.
Editor: Conte mentioned that “something has irreversibly broken down” between him and Grillo. What are the main issues driving this division?
Dr. Moretti: The primary issues stem from conflicting visions for the party’s future. Conte accuses Grillo of sabotaging a process aimed at revitalizing the party and aligning it with its original ideals. There’s also a financial aspect to contend with; Grillo’s contract as a consultant, which entails compensation that Conte finds inappropriate, has become a flashpoint in their discord.
Editor: Beppe Grillo has not publicly responded to Conte’s harsh criticisms. What could this silence indicate about his strategy or the current dynamics within the movement?
Dr. Moretti: Grillo’s silence may either indicate a tactical retreat or a resignation to the shifting tides within the party. His team claims that the consultancy relationship is still active, but it’s clear that the internal conflict is simmering. This could suggest that Grillo is weighing his next moves carefully, possibly preparing for a significant response when the time is right.
Editor: You also mentioned the upcoming regional elections as a backdrop to this conflict. How could these elections impact the situation within the 5 Star Movement?
Dr. Moretti: Absolutely, the regional elections could serve as a litmus test for both leaders’ influence and the party’s direction. If Conte’s faction performs well, it could solidify his position as the de facto leader and marginalize Grillo’s influence further. Conversely, any signs of resilience from Grillo’s loyalists could embolden him and challenge Conte’s authority.
Editor: Davide Casaleggio has spoken out about the party’s transformation under Conte, stating he only recognizes the name and symbol as remnants of the original movement. What does this reflect about the ideological shift within the party?
Dr. Moretti: Casaleggio’s comments reflect a deep concern about the party’s ideological evolution. It suggests that many within the original coalition fear that the 5 Star Movement is morphing into something that strays from its founding principles. This ideological rift may alienate traditional supporters and create a more fractured base moving forward.
Editor: In light of all these developments, what should we expect in the coming weeks as the party prepares for its constituent assembly?
Dr. Moretti: We can anticipate heightened tensions and possibly public confrontations as both factions attempt to solidify their support. The assembly will likely be a battleground for these competing narratives and visions. How either side positions itself could not only redefine the 5 Star Movement but also influence Italy’s broader political landscape.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Moretti, for your insights into this unfolding political drama. We appreciate your time.
Dr. Moretti: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss such critical developments in Italian politics.
Lize Grillo further. Conversely, a poor performance might bolster Grillo’s standing among party loyalists who feel alienated by the current leadership. It’s a high-stakes scenario for both figures.
Editor: The internal division appears deep, with each leader holding starkly different views on the party’s future. In your opinion, what would it take for reconciliation between Conte and Grillo, or is that even feasible at this point?
Dr. Moretti: Reconciliation seems increasingly unlikely given the gravity of their public disputes. For any form of mending to take place, both would need to move towards a common platform that addresses the core issues—especially the financial concerns and leadership direction. However, given Conte’s statements that “something has irreversibly broken down,” it may be more probable that the party will head toward a decisive split rather than a reintegration.
Editor: Lastly, as the movement approaches its constituent assembly, what implications could the outcomes have not just for the 5 Star Movement, but also for the broader Italian political landscape?
Dr. Moretti: The assembly outcomes could mark a significant shift in Italian politics. If Conte successfully redefines the 5 Star Movement, aligning it with more traditional parties or his vision of democratic participation, it could alter the dynamics of coalition politics in Italy. On the other hand, a fracture led by Grillo could give rise to a more populist faction reclaiming the party’s original spirit. This inflection point could redefine political alliances and voter engagements across the spectrum.
Editor: Thank you very much, Dr. Moretti, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds in the coming weeks.
Dr. Moretti: Thank you for having me. It is certainly a pivotal moment for the 5 Star Movement and Italian politics as a whole!
