The Five Star Movement and the rise of 'techno-populist' parties

The Five Star Movement and Lega's nomination of Italian law professor Giuseppe Conte as the next Prime Minister of Italy presents a puzzle: why would an apparently 'populist' government nominate a Prime Minister who fits the mould of a technocrat? Chris Bickerton writes that given the Five Star Movement's history, we should not be surprised at the nomination of Conte. The party stands for a curious blend of technocracy and populism, and is representative of a new type of ‘techno-populist’ party that is emerging elsewhere across Europe.