5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Beppe
Grillo has suggested his uncompromising refusal to cut deals
with Italy's traditional parties may be coming to an end.
In an interview published in Wednesday's Corriere della
Sera, the comedian-turned-politician said he was ready to
negotiate with Premier Matteo Renzi's Democratic Party (PD) over
reform of State broadcaster RAI and proposals for a "citizens'
income", featuring benefits to ensure all families have enough
money to be able to pay for basic necessities.
"We are ready for dialogue with everyone, including the
PD, on the citizens income and reform of the RAI," Grillo said,
referring to the State broadcaster, which has long been affected
by interference from political parties.
"But there must he intellectual honesty...
"Poverty should be tackled like an illness, not like a
crime".
Roberto Speranza, the Lower House whip for the PD, said
that the centre-left group was ready to respond to the overture.
"If today's interview is a real change of course and the
5-Star Movement leader's words are not just propaganda, then I
think the PD should be ready to debate the merits of the issues,
without prejudice," Speranza said.
The M5S, which grew from Grillo's popular blog in 2009,
had always spurned the prospect of cutting deals with the
traditional parties, saying it wanted to destroy a party system
that has generated corruption and economic decline.
The movement abruptly returned to sender an invitation
from former PD leader Pier Luigi Bersani for it to join the
centre-left group in government after the inconclusive 2013
general election.
But the PD's strong showing in last year's European
elections, when it won over 40% of the vote, and at other local
votes since seem to have prompted Grillo to rethink his
strategy.
Nichi Vendola, the leader of the Left, Ecology and Freedom
(SEL) party, said he hoped that Grillo's comments could pave the
way for a new government coalition.
"Do we want the RAI to belong to the citizens and not to
the parties or the government?," Vendola said via Twitter.
"Do we want a minimum income, like in the rest of Europe,
as a response to poverty? In parliament a (different) majority
is possible. Let's form it. Now".
SEL and the M5S are currently opposed to Renzi's
executive, which is backed by several centrist groups.
In the interview with Corriere della Sera, Grillo added
that he made have been wrong to impose strict limitations on M5S
lawmakers giving interviews to broadcast media.
"I've always been against talk shows, but everyone is
free to choose what to do," Grillo said.
"I don't believe so much in TV, because our movement was
born on the web. But I understand that a slice of the electorate
get their information from traditional channels.
"Maybe I was the one who got it wrong".
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