The former party leader has condemned fellow Five Star Movement members for their actions in hindering Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s plan to send more weapons to Kyiv.
The Five Star Movement is the largest political force in parliament after winning 33 per cent of the vote in the 2018 national elections.
In a statement, Di Maio said that the government had a responsibility to defend democracy and freedom in Europe, and that his party’s actions have jeopardised Italy’s pro-NATO position.
“It’s time to choose which side of history to be on, either standing with the victim, Ukraine, or the aggressor, Russia,” he said.
He has alleged that other party members, including the current leader Giuseppe Conte, have been attacking him and acting with “an immature attitude that tends to create tensions and instability within the government”.
On Sunday, Riccardo Ricciardi – a staunch Conte loyalist – said that Di Maio had turned on his political family and should face the consequences.
Di Maio took actions to split the party, collecting signatures for a new autonomous group in the Lower House.
While he has not announced the precise number of breakaway members, he has indicated that it is a sizable group.
Di Maio would have required at least 20 signatures for a new party to be formed.
He said leaving the Five Star Movement was “a painful choice he thought he would never have to make”, but has assured the public that his new group would continue to support Prime Minister Draghi.
Party officials have decried Di Maio’s actions, alleging that they are in retaliation against the introduction of an old rule.
The rule, which states that members cannot stand for re-election after two consecutive terms in parliament, would prevent Di Maio from running for party leadership in the future.
