The future of the leftist populist 5-Star Movement (M5S) is not in the hands of founder and comic Beppe Grillo, leader and former two-time premier Giuseppe Conte said after the outspoken stand-up comic ridiculed him after a disappointing European election result saying late premier and centre-right Forza Italia (F) leader Silvio Berlusconi had got more votes than him as a dead man, a fact that made Grillo "feel sorry" for Conte.
The M5S got 10% in the EP poll, just ahead of FI on 9.6%, and down from its peak of almost 33% at the 2018 general election.
"The Movement's destiny is not in Grillo's hands," said Conte speaking to reporters in the parliament building.
"It is in the hands of a whole community that will decide its future at the constituent assembly next September".
Conte also responded to former Rome mayor and M5S bigwig Virginia Raggi's call for the movement to return to its origins.
"What does going back to your origins mean?" he asked.
"Does it mean restart, rewind? The political and social context has completely changed. If you can't interpret it, you're always out".
Asked if the M5S was in the progressive camp, Conte said "absolutely yes, then if someone has rightwing inclinations they should accept the consequences (and leave the party)".
The M5S started out as an all-encompassing anti-establishment, anti-system and protest movement spanning left and right and thumbing its nose at traditional parties.
Since he took over as leader three years ago Conte has moved it to the populist left.
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