Croatia's Zivi Zid to join forces with Italy's 5 Star Movement for EU elections

Di Maio presented in Rome on Friday the programme of a new group of anti-establishment populist parties, which will campaign together for the election in May. The other parties in the bloc include Zivi Zid, Poland’s Kukiz ‘15, Finland’s Liike Nyt, and Greece’s Akkel, none of which currently have any representatives in the European Parliament.

Some of the main points in the joint programme include fight against corruption, a joint migration strategy, the need for direct democracy, and social equality.

The Five Star Movement is part of the ruling coalition in Italy, along with the right-wing Lega whose leader, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, is a strong opponent of illegal immigration.

 Di Maio said there were five parties that have taken up the challenge to create a new group, Italian Ansa news agency reported.

In order for a parliamentary group to be formed in the European Parliament, it is necessary to have a quorum of 25 MEPs from seven EU countries.

"I am positive, as we have contacts with new political forces in Europe," Di Maio added.

The Five Star Movement, along with Britain's UKIP, is currently part of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) group in the European Parliament, which holds 41 out of the Parliament's 751 seats. UKIP will leave the European Parliament after Brexit.

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