The Five Star Movement in its early years. Flickr/ Michele Federico. some rights reserved.The Five Star Movement (M5S) has now become the leading political party in Italy. After the defeat of the Democratic Party (PD) in the referendum aimed at abolishing the bicameral system, the consequent resignation of the former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, and the schism of the left wing of the PD, the polls now estimate that in the very unlikely case of immediate elections the M5S would gain the relative majority of votes.
Many people look on this as a blessing, or at least with empathy, after decades of political mismanagement, scandals, and a tragic combination of clientelism and irresponsible public spending. Some others are deeply concerned about the lack of experience of these newly born politicians, define them as dangerous populists, and fear that once the electoral struggle is over the members of the M5S would lack the skills needed to govern a difficult country like Italy, which is burdened by a huge public debt and stuck in a long period of stagnation.
