Beppe Grillo Asks Italian President for Mandate to Form New Government

It’s been almost a month since the elections for 2013 had passed. And the results have shocked many people not only in Italy but around Europe and the rest of the world as well. They did not even think that a party, the members of whom are from the general populace, the very people that the politicians would govern, would wrestle the majority seats in the Senate and also perform rather well in the Chamber of Deputies. Now Beppe Grillo is asking President Napolitano for a mandate to form a new government.

The Five Star Movement, headed by ex-comedian Beppe Grillo, is an anti-establishment party. He had been saying that he would not take a seat in government, and that he merely paved the way for the true national leaders to come out. His party did create quite a stir during the February 2013 elections. It made sure that the Senate would have a three-way split, with his party earning enough votes that even if the other two formed a coalition, their seats would not be enough to form a majority. And Beppe Grillo is adamant that he would not be entertaining any talks about a coalition with either party.

Talks with Italian President

A few days ago Beppe Grillo made news again. This time he has officially asked for a mandate to establish a new government from President Giorgio Napolitano, the nation’s leader that Grillo had been lambasting for months, as a symbol of what is wrong with the politics in Italy.

However, he is not the only one having talks with the President. President Napolitano had been talking with the main political parties in his government because it is crucial that a majority in the Senate be assured in order for a new cabinet to be formed. He held talks with Vito Crimi and Roberta Lombardi, lawmakers from the President’s party.

New government

Beppe Grillo stated that the First Star Movement was ready to perform an extreme act of responsibility to have a new government formed. He had earlier stated, after the elections, that he and his party would “destroy everything” and from the rubble would rise a new government, based on their ideas. His detractors are saying that he is a populist and that he presents a threat to the democracy in Italy.

When interviewed he said that the people threatened by him and the Five Star Movement are those that have failed while they were ruling and not the general public that had been demanding for the establishment of a better government. He said other politicians and his detractors should instead thank him because through him people now have hope. His detractors countered that Grillo opposed everything yet he does not have any policy program that is realistic.

Grillo however, named the top priorities he wants to tackle – incentives for growth and tax breaks for small businesses, anti-corruption laws and social safety net for people in dire needs.

The President’s party on the other hand has also presented their 20-point program that includes additional funding for schools and public health, new unemployment subsidy and a referendum to determine if Italy should stay in the Eurozone.

What’s next?

Very few expect that the President will agree to the formation of a new government, one that the Five Star Movement is supposed to lead. There is rising speculation that the President will extend a mandate to Pier Luigi Bersani instead while Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who also had talks with the President said they are available for a coalition government.

At this stage, everything is still hazy. Differences have yet to be overcome. If nothing gets resolved very soon, Italy is facing another election.