M5S

The Five Star Movement, known by its Italian abbreviation M5S (Movimento 5 Stelle), is a populist political party in Italy that was founded in 2009 by comedian and television personality Beppe Grillo and web entrepreneur Gianroberto Casaleggio. It arose as an internet‑centric political project that sought to bypass traditional party structures and to engage citizens directly through a digital platform called the “5S Platform.” The movement’s branding is based on five principles: direct democracy, environmentalism, transparency, sustainable transport, and the eradication of corruption.

M5S’s platform combines elements of anti‑establishment rhetoric, fiscal conservatism, and progressive social policies. It has consistently criticized the establishment of the centre‑left and centre‑right parties, called for extensive electoral reform, advocated for disclosing campaign financing, and pushed for a reduction in public bureaucracy. While it supports environmental protection and renewable energy, it also calls for a pragmatic approach to the European Union, rejecting the euro in its original form but supporting participation in the EU by creating an independent budget for national projects. The party promotes direct voting via its online system, which allows members to propose and vote on policy measures.

The movement rose rapidly to national prominence, achieving a plurality in the 2013 general election, and later becoming a decisive force in the 2018 elections when it formed a coalition with the right‑wing League and the centre‑right Forza Italia. In the Conte II cabinet (2019‑2021) it served as a junior partner to the League, while later aligning with the centre‑left Democratic Party in the 2022 coalition government. Under the leadership of leaders such as Luigi Di Maio and later Roberto Fico, M5S has remained a major force in Italian politics, often serving as kingmaker in coalition negotiations and continually shaping the public debate on governance, transparency, and citizens’ participation.