M5S is 'very dead' says Grillo

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 3 - Beppe Grillo on Tuesday declared the 5-Star Movement (M5S) he founded in 2009 as "very dead" (stramorto) in relation to a series of changes to its statute wanted by its current leader, ex-premier Giuseppe Conte, and hinted that he will start a new group.
    Grillo is being stripped of his role as the populist party's 'guarantor', according to changes passed at a 'constituent assembly' last month.
    The changes will also scrap the movement's two-term limit for its elected representatives, make it possible to change its symbol, and place it firmly in the progressive camp.
    A new poll of M5S members on the changes takes place December 5-8 after comic-and-blogger-cum-politician Grillo called for a re-vote.
    "Seeing the (M5S) symbol represented by these people gives me a sense of unease," Grillo said in a video on his blog in which he drove a hearse.
    "Get yourself another symbol, go ahead and do your thing.
    "The Movement is dead, but it is compostable. The humus inside is not dead".
    Grillo said less than half of the M5S's members took part in the first vote and accused Conte of acting like the Wizard of Oz to "disintegrate the movement in its identity".
    He added that he did not think the upcoming re-vote would change anything.
    "You have already decided and I have already lost. I know it," the 76-year-old said. "But I am optimistic because this movement had an extraordinary identity.
    "I have an idea that I'll reveal to you later. But it doesn't end here". (ANSA).