Giuseppe Conte has made it clear: if the Five Star Movement (M5S) fails to secure the quorum in its upcoming Constituent Assembly vote, he will step down as leader. The former Prime Minister’s position is increasingly tenuous as tensions rise with co-founder Beppe Grillo, who remains a lifetime guarantor of the movement. Grillo’s resistance could escalate into appointing a new oversight committee to undermine Conte’s leadership from within. While Conte aims to prevail, even if Grillo demands repeated votes, the looming battle could result in a split within the party and a contentious fight over its symbol.
The quorum vote, scheduled between December 5 and 8, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing feud. Grillo’s supporters are calling for abstention to sabotage the quorum, with prominent figures like Danilo Toninelli urging disillusioned members to stay registered but refrain from voting. Meanwhile, Conte has chosen to confront the challenge head-on, confident that some members who previously opposed abolishing the guarantor role may now switch sides. Grillo, known for his guerrilla-like tactics, is reportedly preparing a video to advocate abstention—a surprising move for someone once celebrated as a champion of direct democracy.
At stake is not only the party’s leadership but its identity and direction. Conte, distancing himself from Grillo’s combative stance, insists that the M5S symbol belongs to the movement, not its founder. As Grillo hints he would rather see the M5S dissolve than evolve under Conte, the former Prime Minister has launched a robust media campaign to rally support. Should Grillo persist in his quorum-sabotaging strategies, Conte’s leadership could face further challenges. Meanwhile, the shadow of potential legal battles and the prospect of a splintered M5S loom large over the movement’s already turbulent future.
