The Italian elections are over and the results – a messy four way split – are about as bad as they can be for the EU, its member states and the continental currency, the Euro.

The ‘headline’ from the vote is the emergence of a populist dissenting movement led by comedian Beppe Grillo. Hence the title of this post.

France represented by President Hollande has just had an election. Chancellor Merkel of Germany faces one this autumn.

Can you spot the UK, Greece and Mr Grillo in the picture?

Updated 8th January 2014: UK comedian Russell Brand announces young folk should not vote.

Updated 17th January 2015: The rise of the populist comedian in politics continues in the UK where ‘The Pub Landlord’ – long-running character of comedian Al Murray – has announced he will be standing against Nigel Farage, leader of UKIP in the seat of  Thanet South at the forthcoming 2015 general election.