Grillo retakes command of M5S, Raggi blasts Renzi

(see related story on referendum) (ANSA) - Rome, September 26 - Beppe Grillo told the 5-Star Movement's big gathering in Palermo at the weekend that he is ready to return as the full-time "political head" of the anti-establishment group.
    Comedian-turned-politician Grillo founded the Internet-based movement in 2009 with his friend Gianroberto Casaleggio, who died earlier this year.
    The M5S has capitalised on widespread disillusionment with Italy's political establishment to quickly become the main rival to Premier Matteo Renzi's centre-left Democratic Party (PD). The movement, however, had run into some problems recently, above all in Rome, where M5S Mayor Virginia Raggi has come under heavy fire for the confusion that has hit her executive after she was elected in June.
    Grillo's return to the front-line spells the end of the M5S's five-person leadership 'directorate'.
    This, however, will be replaced by a trident made up of Casaleggio's son Davide and senior M5S lawmakers Alessandro Di Battista and Luigi Di Maio, the deputy speaker of the Lower House.
    Raggi was the star of the meeting on Sunday and she used the platform to counter attack, blasting Renzi and the media.
    "They attack us for everything and the disgraceful thing is that it's the premier who attacks us. Renzi has not put anyone of the scrap heap," Raggi said, referring to the premier's drive to get rid of the PD old guard.
    "We are scary because we have our hands free. We don't have to say yes to anyone, except for the citizens," added the mayor, who last week nixed the capital's bid to host the 2024 Olympics.