Italy - political chaos: Grillini M5S Parliamentarians Protest Deadlock by Occupying Both Chambers

Beppe Grillo

The Grillini, the parliamentarians of the Five Star MoVement (M5S), occupied the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, staying in the lower chamber until midnight and in Palazzo Madama until 10.30 pm. 

The square outside the main entrance to Montecitorio was closed to pedestrians as police kept an eye on the situation. Various M5S activists and onlookers remained behind the barriers. What triggered the protest was the discovery by M5S group leaders in the two chambers that the Chamber of Deputies and Senate permanent committees would meet only after a new government has been formed.

Alessandra Di Battista invited the populace to demonstrate outside Montecitorio. “Every so often, I remind you just in case... OUT... ALL PARTIES OUT!” wrote the M5S parliamentarian on her Facebook page. “If you feel like it, there’s a citizens’ demonstration outside Montecitorio from 6.30 pm to 10 pm in support of other citizens in Parliament”. She continued: “Be there, guys. We need to feel all your support. See you at Parliament!” The upshot was that one group of deputies gathered outside Montecitorio, where they engaged in an animated discussion with those who turned up, while the rest stayed in the chamber. Roberta Lombardi added, again on Facebook: “Taken hostage in the chamber. If we leave, they won’t let us back in. We’re staying put”.

Read more: M5S Parliamentarians Protest Deadlock by Occupying Both Chambers - Corriere della Sera