The acting Italian foreign minister, Luigi Di Maio, introduced a new political party this Sunday after parting ways with the Five Star Movement (M5S), which he led until 2020. The move marks a new chapter as he prepares to participate in the general elections scheduled for September 25.
The newly formed party will be titled “Civil Impegno” (Civil Commitment) and is set to be officially launched on Monday. Di Maio revealed the party name during an appearance on Rai3, a public broadcaster, signaling a shift in Italy’s political landscape as he outlines the platform and goals of this fresh political project.
The concept behind Civil Impegno draws inspiration from the values associated with Pope Francis, and during a press conference following his return from a visit to Canada, Di Maio emphasized a call for greater political responsibility. He urged fellow politicians to pursue civil accountability in electoral campaigns, stressing that integrity should guide public life and governance.
Di Maio, now 36, has long been a central figure in the anti-establishment currents that characterized M5S since its inception in 2009. He rose to prominence within the movement and led it to electoral success in 2018, before stepping down from its leadership in 2020 amid strategic disagreements and a search for new directions within Italian politics.
Earlier this year, Di Maio announced his departure from M5S, citing disagreements over the party’s trajectory and leadership style. He signaled the creation of a parliamentary group that would be populated by roughly 60 lawmakers who shared a desire to pursue reform and a more centrist, pragmatic approach to governance.
With elections approaching, the national political stage is characterized by a broad contest among party blocs. The right wing, led by prominent figures who command strong support in opinion polls, remains a formidable force. This bloc includes leadership such as Giorgia Meloni of the Brothers of Italy, along with Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia and Matteo Salvini’s League, whose long-standing coalition has been a defining feature of recent Italian politics. Various smaller parties with Christian Democratic roots also play a role in shaping the eventual outcome.
On the left, the Democratic Party (PD) faces a critical test as Enrico Letta works to unify the party and maintain influence in a shifting landscape. The goal is to assemble a broad, issue-focused front that can counterbalance the right and push for progressive reforms. In this context, left-leaning lawmakers and center-left groups are exploring alliances that could broaden the electoral base and offer a credible alternative to the governing coalition.
As negotiations unfold, Di Maio’s Civil Impegno is portrayed as a potential catalyst for new coalitions or at least as a significant independent voice that could alter the dynamics of the race. There is speculation about whether this party will align with other new formations like Azione, led by former minister Carlo Calenda, or whether it will pursue a distinct, autonomous path. In any case, observers note that the emergence of Civil Impegno adds to the complexity of coalition-building and signals a broader appetite for political experimentation among voters who are seeking accountability and fresh leadership.
Meanwhile, Giuseppe Conte and the M5S have chosen to contest the elections on their own, avoiding formal coalitions for now, though there have been indications of local-level collaborations with the PD in certain districts. This multiparty environment creates a nuanced and fluid electoral terrain, where alliances can shift quickly in response to polling trends and public sentiment. The evolving position of the M5S relative to Salvini and Berlusconi’s blocs has contributed to changes in strategy and, in some instances, to the realignment of support as parties recalibrate their messaging and priorities ahead of the vote.
The overall picture is one of a dynamic and highly competitive political field, with Di Maio aiming to convert the momentum of a newly formed movement into tangible electoral traction. Civil Impegno seeks to appeal to voters who desire integrity, practical solutions, and a sense that political life should be grounded in clear obligations to the public. Whether it can translate its concepts into sustained parliamentary influence remains to be seen as campaign efforts intensify in the run-up to September 25 and beyond.