M5S Opts Out of Pro-Europe Demonstration in Rome

Rome: Ex-premier and populist 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Giuseppe Conte announced on Tuesday that his party will not participate in the pro-Europe march scheduled for March 15 in Rome. Conte questioned the purpose of the demonstration, asking, “For what? For which Europe?”

According to Ansa News Agency, Conte’s remarks come in response to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s initiative to ‘rearm Europe’ in light of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The plan could potentially mobilize close to 800 billion euros. Conte expressed his party’s stance, stating, “Von der Leyen’s Europe? Now it is necessary to take a position on this.”

Conte further explained M5S’s vision for Europe, emphasizing investment in citizens, a greener continent, and a more supportive Europe. He rejected the idea of a Europe focused on rearmament and weapons, highlighting the party’s clear ideas on the matter.

The concept of an apolitical march for the “unity and freedom” of Europe was initially proposed by journalist Michele Serra, who published an appeal in the Rome daily, La Repubblica.