Five Star Movement Party

• The Italian Five Star Movement, known in Italian as Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S), is a political party that emerged in Italy in the late 2000s. Founded by comedian Beppe Grillo and web strategist Gianroberto Casaleggio, the party first came into the spotlight through Grillo's popular blog and a series of "V-Day" gatherings, which stood for "Vaffanculo Day" (roughly translating to "F*** Off Day"), aimed at expressing dissatisfaction with the Italian political establishment.
  
  The Five Star Movement is characterized by its use of the internet for direct democracy and advocacy for participatory decision-making processes. It has positioned itself as neither left nor right-wing, instead focusing on issues rather than ideology. The party's core values include sustainable development, environmental protection, and the promotion of green policies. It advocates for the transition to renewable energy sources and aims to address issues related to pollution and climate change.
  
  Transparency and anti-corruption are also central to the Five Star Movement's ethos. It has consistently campaigned against the corruption that plagues Italian politics and has proposed measures to increase transparency and accountability in public office. The party supports the reduction of political salaries and has often criticized the privileges of the political elite.
  
  The Five Star Movement is also known for its critical stance on the European Union, particularly concerning economic governance and austerity policies. While it has moderated its position over time, moving away from advocating for an outright exit from the eurozone, it still calls for a reevaluation of Italy's relationship with the EU, emphasizing the need for greater sovereignty and fairness.
  
  On social issues, the party's positions have varied, reflecting its broad membership base and its attempt to transcend traditional political categories. It has supported initiatives ranging from universal basic income experiments, aimed at addressing unemployment and poverty, to advocating for direct democracy mechanisms, such as referendums and online voting on policy decisions.
  
  The Five Star Movement's rise to prominence reflects a broader trend of political disillusionment and the search for new forms of representation and governance. Its success has been attributed to its ability to mobilize grassroots support and use digital platforms to engage citizens directly, challenging the conventional dynamics of Italian politics.

Ideologies:

• Populism, Anti-establishment, Direct democracy, E-democracy, Environmentalism, Euroscepticism, Anti-globalization

Policies:

• See the complete list of 184 policies for the Five Star Movement

Official website:

• http://www.movimentocinquestelle.it