A record number of members of the
populist 5-Star Movement (M5S) has voted in the so-called
'parlamentarie' online selection of candidates for the September
25 general election.
Over 50,000 paid-up members of ex-premier Giuseppe Conte's party
voted in the one-day poll, compared to just 39,000 who voted in
a two-day such poll in 2018.
The members also confirmed a 15-candidate list for safe seats
compiled by Conte, in a break with M5S tradition.
The 15 candidates who look set to be elected for sure include
former Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino, outgoing Farm Minister
Stefano Patuanelli, M5S Senate Whip Maria Domenica Castellone,
and Education Undersecretary Barbara Floridia.
The list also includes representatives of civil society like
anti-mafia prosecutors Federico Cafiero de Raho and Roberto
Scarpinato, as well as experts on the ecological transition like
former environment minister Sergio Costa and Professor Livio De
Santoli.
Conte himself leads the list and will represent the M5S ticket
in the Lazio 1 constituency, in Rome.
Of the many other candidates selected, the oldest is an
84-year-old Calabrian retired priest, Natale Bianchi.
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