M5S, “ungenerous criticism”. Unprecedented powder keg, Patuanelli silences Grillo –

“We have organized ourselves with a movement modus operandi and a party structure, so we cannot depend on just one person, whoever that person may be.” Stefano Patuanelli, the group leader in the Senate of the 5 Star Movement, did not back down one step, interviewed by Il Fatto Quotidiano, referring to the invitation of Beppe Grillo, founder of the Movement, to return to the past. “In my opinion, we are simply faced with an incorrect interpretation by Beppe of an assembly that will be deliberative rather than constituent, as per the statute. Perhaps a phone call would have been enough to talk about it,” adds the former minister.

To Grillo, “in his response, Conte explained the path, which seems to me the only legitimate one for an association that is also a party, with a statute that determines the activities of its members. It is not a settling of accounts but a fair clarification of what the Movement is doing after the European elections and the drop in consensus”. The guarantor’s observations on the fact that there is an identity crisis and vagueness in the M5s’ proposals? “Honestly – Patuanelli replies – I think these criticisms are a bit unfair compared to what we have done in recent years. Then, of course, we have made mistakes. Perhaps it was also a mistake to identify a technician as minister for ecological transition (Roberto Cingolani, ed.) and it certainly cannot be blamed on Conte. Finally, on peace and work our positions seem to me to be read clearly”, the reply.

As for the two-term rule, “even entrenching ourselves in a position of principle that cannot be discussed is irrational. If we were to form a coalition with the PD in the regional elections and they were to support a Democratic candidate with six legislatures behind him, what sense would there be in not nominating one of ours who has only served two terms? It is right not to forget one’s history and it is healthy to think that if you started in politics at 30 you should not end up doing it at 70. But not allying with anyone was also our principle, but history has led us to overcome it”. “Some elements make us very cautious” given that “Renzi’s political ethics are similar to Toti’s and this does not make us compatible”, Patuanelli’s comment on Matteo Renzi’s rapprochement with the PD and a broad future.