The Five-Star Movement: a hybrid actor in the net of state institutions

The Italian MoVimento 5 Stelle (M5S – Five Star Movement), led by the former comedian Beppe Grillo, is one of the political novelties of major interest in the Italian political scene and also on an international scale. This article examines the movement’s evolution following its extraordinary success at the 2013 Italian General Election. Four peculiar features of this experience have been analyzed: the movement’s anti-system stance, its specific conception of democracy, the post-ideological profile, and the innovative elements in its party organization. The overall picture suggests a mixture of resistance and adjustment to the system. Consequently, the process of gradual normalization and institutionalization of Grillo’s party is becoming increasingly evident, while inherent contradictions and internal problems remain