A series of changes to the statute of
the 5-Star Movement (M5S) wanted by its current leader,
ex-premier Giuseppe Conte, were approved again on Sunday in a
second vote of the group's members.
A second vote was called after objections to how the first
ballot was held at a 'constituent assembly' last month were
raised by M5S founder Beppe Grillo, who opposes the changes.
Grillo is being stripped of his role as the populist party's
'guarantor' under the reform of the statute.
The changes also scrap the movement's two-term limit for its
elected representatives, make it possible to change its symbol,
and place it firmly in the progressive camp.
"The M5S has voted again en masse," said Conte.
"This is the disruptive wave of a community that knows no limits
or obstacles, in which everyone really counts.
"Now we turn a page".
Comic-and-blogger-cum-politician Grillo has said the M5S "very
dead" (stramorto) after the changes to its statute and has
hinted that he will start a new group.
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