Tired, exhausted, disappointed, cursed.
This is how Luigi Di Maio is said to describe the feelings behind the decision to step down as leader of the Five Star Movement, one of the government parties in Italy.
The decision is expected to be official this afternoon, after Di Maio had a meeting with other ministers in the party. However, last night the news leaked out. It raises concerns with the government partner PD, the Democratic Party, and party secretary Nicola Zingaretti says he hoped at last that the details would not be correct.
Luigi Di Maio blew in as a fresh spring wind in Italian politics and became a record young party leader for the young party Five Stars. This summer he turns 34, but now says he is both tired and disillusioned. Sitting in power has cost, both for him and the party.
In the spring 2018 election, the five stars received 33 percent of the vote, but are now down to around 15 percent, more than half the voters. After first reigning for over a year with Lega, the party formed in
August last year a new coalition, with Social Democratic PD, all to avoid new elections.
But to rule first with Lega and the dominant Matteo Salvini and then a party that represents the old power, like PD, has cost the Five Stars a lot, both in voter support and internal battles.
Weakened supportOne of the reasons why Di Maio resigns is said to be his infected relationship with comedian Beppe Grillo, one of the party's founders. Grillo openly supports Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in small and large power struggles.
Di Maio's position has also been weakened by the party's opinion figures and poor results in regional elections.
On Sunday, such elections are held in Emilia-Romagna, a classic red province. The outcome is uncertain, but the right's Lega and Fratelli d'Italia, Italy's Brothers, tough campaigns and promises power change.
So with only four days left for these very important regional elections, Di Maio resigns as party leader, but he is said to remain as foreign minister.
At the same time, Nadia Aprile and Michele Nitti are leaving the Five Star Group in the Chamber of Deputies.
The drop-offs have been many and many political judges believe that the Five Star Movement is in free fall. Internal battles are now expected around who takes over after Di Maio as party leader. The question of what happens to the already difficult maneuvering government cooperation remains to be seen. Legas Matteo Salvini says that a victory in the elections in Emilia-Romagna
will pave the way for new elections, a scenario that none of the government parties want to see.