The leader of the
anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) Beppe Grillo lashed out
at US President Barack Obama on Friday for coming to Italy this
week to allegedly "sell shale" and the F-35 fighter jet.
"He is here to smuggle in his economy and we are all
silent," wrote the prolific blogger. "Obama is in Italy and goes
to the pope to take two photos. He comes here because he is
concerned about the reduction of military spending on our
F-35s".
Italian spending on the multi-billion-euro F-35 program has
been frozen, pending a parliamentary review of military
spending.
In 2012, Italy announced plans to cut its order with
US-based Lockheed Martin to 90 from the 131 jets originally
agreed in 2002, saving the country some five billion euros at
that time.
The comedian-turned-politician then accused Obama, who was
in Rome Thursday after summits in Brussels, of "selling his
shale gas that he discovered is a nearly 100-year supply and one
of the largest deposits in the world".
Speaking in Brussels Wednesday, Obama announced he had
authorized the export of American natural gas to Europe,
lessening the continent's dependence on Russian energy.
In his blog post, Grillo went on to reiterate his overall
discontent with Italian parliament and politicians, and called
on supporters to turn out in large numbers during European
Parliament elections on May 25, when Euroskeptic parties like
his are expected to do well.
"Parliament shall promote its lies, along with its
newspapers and television channels. Rise up. I want you there,"
said Grillo.
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