ROME (Reuters) – The leader of the Five-Star Movement (M5S) and current foreign minister, Luigi Di Maio, announced on Tuesday his departure from the populist party and the formation of a new parliamentary group which will continue to support the action of the President of the Council, Mario Draghi.
Luigi Di Maio made the announcement after criticizing M5S leader Giuseppe Conte, whom he accused of undermining government efforts to support Ukraine and undermining Rome’s position within the European Union.
“Today is a difficult decision that I never imagined I would have to make…but today I and other colleagues and friends are leaving the Five Star Movement,” said Luigi Di Maio, who for a time led the party founded by Beppe Grillo, during a press conference.
This split within the M5S could weaken Mario Draghi’s coalition against a backdrop of soaring inflation and a possible energy crisis, while Russia has reduced its deliveries of natural gas to Italy, without depriving the president of the Council of a majority.
On the other hand, Mario Draghi could no longer claim to be at the head of a government of national unity.
The M5S, which won the 2018 legislative elections with 33% of the vote, is only credited with half of this score in the polls of intention to vote.
(Report by Angelo Amante and Gavin Jones, French version Tangi Salaün)
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