Italy’s 5-Star Movement Chooses Female TV Journalist Milena Gabanelli for President

An investigative journalist, Milena Gabanelli,  is being considered as the Presidential nominee by Italy’s 5-Star Movement. Gabanelli is a broadcaster from the state-run RAI and has no political leanings. Prior to the declaration, it was speculated that 5-Star Movement would back Romano Prodi, a former Prime Minister.

On Thursday, the houses of Parliament would need to vote on the issue. Delegates from the regions would be joining in as well. It is expected that the vote might take some time since there are no clear favorites.

5-Star Movement’s conditions for cooperation

Beppe Grillo is a famous TV comedian in Italy and leader of the 5-Star Movement. He said that if the dominant party led by Pier Luigi Bersani backs Gabenelli then 5-Star would consider this a meeting point. Bersani’s party won the most seats in the polls conducted last February.

Bersani has been looking for a way to convince the 5-Star Movement to form a government with the dominant Democratic Party. Grillo however has repeatedly refused the offers. Grillo clarifies that his latest statement does not mean he wants to form a coalition but he might be convinced to cooperate.

The primary tasks of Napolitano’s successor

The term of the incumbent President Giorgio Napolitano finishes on May 15, 2013. The situation in Italy is rather complex, after the stalemate that led to the failure of creating a government after the general elections in February. Napolitano’s successor would need to immediately figure out a way out of the deadlock. The new President of Italy would need to facilitate a truce between the concerned parties or call for a new poll.

Gabanelli is a political outsider, and Bersani and his party would want a more political savvy and established individual for the post.

Grillo is ineligible

Because of a traffic incident in 1981, Grillo is not eligible for the nomination. He has an outstanding conviction of manslaughter. The rules of his own party put him out of the running. Grillo first shone in the entertainment industry as a very successful comedian. At this time, he is both feared and respected and popularly called “The Protest Leader.”