In the last Italian general election (2013), the 5 Stars Movement (M5S) led by comedian Beppe Grillo gathered 25 per cent of the vote. The M5S and its anti-elitist rhetoric is undoubtedly part of the family of the populist parties. The profile of the ‘grillini’, with a higher level of education than the Italian average, are motivated by a genuine desire for participation. Three the main characteristic of the Movement: on one hand the populist rhetoric citizens/elite and on the other hand the whish for a more participatory democracy and finally an explicit preference for direct democracy.

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