Eurosceptics Populists Take Lead In Italy. Right Wing Could Win If United

Italy 5-Star Movement (M5S) party leader Beppe Grillo,
ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty

A new poll has shown a young Eurosceptic party surging to become Italy’s second most popular, such that under the country’s electoral system they could win the next election in 2017 or 18.  

Italy’s “Five Star” anti-establishment “movement” is a political party started by Beppe Grillo, a popular comedian and blogger. His party advocates direct democracy and claims to transgress traditional left-right politics.

The “five stars” in the name refer to the five key issues they push for: public water, sustainable transport, sustainable development, right to Internet access, and environmentalism.

According to an Ipsos survey published over the weekend, the ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD) commands the support of 31.2 percent of people interviewed. While 29.1 percent favour the Five Star movement.

However, in the expected case of a run-off ballot, in accordance with the nation’s new electoral system, the eurosceptic populists would win, taking control of the country according to the Local.

Meanwhile, Italy’s right wing is notably fractured at present.

The anti-immigration Northern League flag by 14.3 percentage points, despite their leader Matteo Salvini being the third most popular in the country with 32 per cent of support, just 4 per cent behind the leader.

Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right Go Italy part have fallen way behind, with their leader commanding 21 per cent of voter intentions and the party slumping to 10.8 percent.

However, should the Northern League, Go Italy and the right-wing Brothers of Italy party all unite, they would command 31.3 percent of the vote, propelling them into second place and towards a possible victory.

Surging young parties caused chaos in Spain’s national elections over the weekend, with the two-party system, which has governed the nation since its emergence from dictatorship in 1975, coming to a historic end.

Also in Sweden, the two large mainstream parties have performed badly due to the rise of insurgents, most notably the anti mass migration Sweden Democrats.

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