M5S expels Senator Fucksia in online vote (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, December 28 - The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) on Monday voted by 92.6% to 7.4% to expel unruly Senator Serenella Fucksia. The vote, which saw 26,630 members take part, took place on the blog of party leader Beppe Grillo.
    Senator Fucksia was formally accused of not obeying the party's rules that parliamentary stipends have to be fully handed back.
    Fucksia claimed the vote concealed a "power struggle" between Grillo and rising stars in the movement.
    Former comedian Grillo denied the claim.
    Fucksia has voted against the party line 253 times.
    In particular, she voted with the majority of the Senate against lifting the parliamentary immunity of former minister Roberto Calderoli of the rightwing Northern League to face charges of racially motivated hate speech in saying former integration minister Cecile Keyenge looked like an orangutan.
    Grillo has expelled several M5S members since the 2013 general election.
    Their expulsions have been mandated by the movement's customary online votes.