The 5 Star Movement local government in Bagheria

Abstract

Since 2014 Bagheria (Palermo) has been governed by the mayor Patrizio Cinque of 5 Star Movement (M5s). The case study of Bagheria shows how this local government works, focusing on the movement institutionalization and on the main problems faced putting in practice within a representative institution the M5S idea of political reform. Analyzing first the local context, the paper reconstructs the Cosa Nostra infiltrations in past administrations (Bagheria’s town council was being dissolved because it had been infiltrated by organised crime) and their current effects. Then starting from electoral campaign it illustrates communication strategy and the frames used by the two main candidates. Furthermore, the article deals with the beginning of the M5s administration of a municipality with serious financial difficulties and an unbalanced budget: a key-point is represented by the turn in the solid urban waste management. Firstly, the mass media emphasize the young age and the bravery of the mayor, at a later time they progressively focus on “scandals” of Cinque’s administration with a growing attention of the mainstream media. The paper examines how is changed the activist becoming mayor and which are the main elements of discontinuity in Bagheria local government, the changes and the conflicts experienced.