Italy's Five Star Movement Sets Foreign Policy Demands, Clashing with Democrats

Friction continues within Italy's "campo largo" coalition, particularly between the Democratic Party (PD) and the Five Star Movement (M5S), over foreign policy, specifically concerning the war in Ukraine. PD leader Elly Schlein affirmed the party's commitment to aiding Ukraine's defense, a position praised by the PD's reformist wing but met with strong criticism from M5S. "We have a very clear idea: Einstein said that stupidity is always doing the same things hoping for a different result," stated M5S Vice President Stefano Patuanelli, arguing that after four and a half years of war with no clear outcome, a "discontinuity" is needed. Sources close to M5S leader Giuseppe Conte describe him as "strongly determined" to pursue a negotiated settlement in Ukraine if his party enters government. Conte's foreign policy pillars also include a firm condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the recognition of Palestinian rights. Furthermore, M5S is staunchly opposed to rearmament and aims to "restore strength to European politics" and break away from the "resignation to military escalation" by promoting a multipolar world order. M5S sources question the purpose of entering government if it means continuing the policies of previous administrations like those of Mario Draghi and Giorgia Meloni. Schlein's statements have not swayed M5S's course, as the party insists on imposing a "turning point" in European policy, while emphasizing "no acquiescence towards Putin." Conte's active engagement in foreign policy matters was evident when he attended a Chamber commission hearing on a NATO summit early in the morning. M5S has also used parliamentary question time to scrutinize government actions on defense funding. Beyond foreign policy, M5S is also focused on domestic issues, including the case of Delmastro, with a social media campaign demanding transparency regarding chat logs, setting up a countdown to a parliamentary vote on the matter, signaling another potential confrontation with Prime Minister Meloni.

“

Abbiamo votato convintamente per aiutare l’Ucraina a difendersi con tutti i mezzi a disposizione