ROME – In a passionate speech in the Circus Maximus in Rome last weekend, the founder of the populist Five Star Movement Beppe Grillo courted controversy by calling for the powers of the Italian president to be curtailed.

 The event was also attended by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and leader of the Party Luigi di Maio, who both made appearances on stage. The headlines were, however, dominated by Grillo. “We should take away the powers of the President, we should reform [the position],” he proclaimed in front of a large crowd at the historic Roman venue.

 The Movement was quick to distance itself from its founder’s comment, saying that neither the majority coalition nor the government “intend to reform the powers of the President of the Republic.” A statement from the Party reiterated that they had “complete faith in the role of the President.”

 Secretary of the Democratic Party, the main opposition to the M5S-Lega coalition, Maurizio Martina chided Grillo, as he gave his take on the rally. “The billionaire comedian makes fun of who he wants. There’s no problem with having a laugh at the Circus on Sunday but leave the Constitution and the President be. The head of State isn’t bothered about dear Grillo,” Martina said mockingly.

 In a press conference in front of reporters at the Foreign Press Association on Monday, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte added his voice to the matter, but did not stray from the official Party line. He reaffirmed that Grillo’s comments were a “personal” opinion and “not the view of the Movement.”