A NEW Italian political movement held its first assembly in London on Saturday, deciding to stand international candidates in Italy’s March elections.

British-based Italians gathered at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies for the first meeting of Potere al Popolo in Britain.

The group was formed last year as a focal point for the anti-austerity left in the build-up to the general election in March and involves a number of parties, including  the Communist Refoundation Party.

It was agreed to select British-based candidates to stand for one of the five international seats in Italy’s general election and those gathered agreed to help collect the 500 signatures needed for the candidate’s papers.

The meeting was addressed by Momentum organiser Laura Parker, who said British activists had much to learn from their Italian counterparts in how to build a grassroots movement.

A delegation from Britain will visit the Potero el Popolo community centre in Naples before the elections.

Delegates are set to meet in London for a second assembly on January 13 to vote on which candidates to put forward.