Grillo at risk in the M5S: the elimination of the role of the guarantor is being evaluated

“We ask you to put forward proposals” to “guarantee the integrity and efficiency of decision-making processes, for example: reduce the powers of the President in favor of more collegial decision-making processes and review the decision-making mechanisms relating to the selection of candidates; reduce powers of the Guarantor (or eliminate it completely)”. This is what we read in the ‘Guide to the discussion for the deliberative comparison of the constituent process of the 5 Star Movement’, containing the topics selected and subjected to the evaluation of the 300 participants in the same comparison drawn by lot among the members, together with a group of non-citizens. members drawn by lot from those who sent their contribution in the first phase.

In the document, accompanied by a ‘Methodological note on the changes to the Statute and Code of Ethics of the M5S’, drawn up by the jurist Michele Ainisthe role of the guarantor, currently held by the founder of the Movement, is effectively called into question Beppe Grillo. It is highlighted that “there are elements of incompatibility in the current Statute”, and it is necessary to “verify how to modify them to safeguard the integrity of the decision-making processes and the reputation of the Movement. For example – we read – the fact that the guarantor indicates the names of the members of the guarantee committee and that the guarantee committee in turn proposes a shortlist of three names for the guarantor; the fact that the interpretation of the Statute by the guarantor is ‘unquestionable’ (principle of ‘doubtful legitimacy’ ‘, see Ainis’ methodological note, in Annex 1); the fact that the guarantor is appointed ‘for an indefinite period’, although his conditions may vary over time and the fact that the principle of temporary duration of positions is inherent to the state by law (see Ainis); the fact that the Guarantor can only be removed by the Guarantee Committee, which he himself has appointed. And so on”.

Participants in the deliberative process of the constituent assembly, which began on 12 October and which will see a new moment of discussion next weekend, are asked to formulate proposals also on the hypotheses of “limiting the role of the guarantee bodies to the supervision of the rules and principles, guaranteeing the plurality of points of view and eliminating the concept of ‘unquestionable interpretation’; avoid the interference of the guarantee bodies in the decision-making processes for which autonomy and efficiency must be guaranteed (on the political line, on the operational choices of the Movement, on the appointment of the bodies directives and on the validity of online consultations etc.)”.

The document also states that “the president is seen by many as a key figure for the stability of the Movement, but according to others there is an excessive centralization of power in his hands. Therefore, some proposals see: a downsizing of his role, with a limitation of decision-making power in favor of more collegial or delegated management to other bodies; “. As for the other “guarantee bodies, many comments ask for their revision, to limit their number or methods of appointment. It should be specified that, by virtue of their specific function, the guarantee bodies should be totally independent, without constraints of any kind or conflicts of interest”.

Therefore, members are asked to also make proposals to “strengthen the independence of the guarantee bodies: eliminate overlaps between guarantee functions, ensure that there can be no conditioning between the members who are part of it, eliminate permanent positions and prohibit professional positions; simplify the voting methods to amend the Statute, avoiding excessive repetition of votes, to avoid the risk of paralysis of the decision-making processes; avoid overlaps between the competences of the decision-making bodies”.