Andrea Pucci renounces Sanremo, after the controversy that accompanied the announcement of his presence as co-host of the third evening. And his choice promptly becomes a political case, with Prime Minister Meloni and Deputy Prime Minister Salvini riding the news, expressing solidarity with the comedian and speaking of the «frightening illiberal drift of the Left».
Andrea pucci justified his choice with these words: «The insults, threats, epithets and so on received by me and my family in recent days are incomprehensible and unacceptable!». The comedian spoke of a “negative media wave” which alters “the basic pact with the public”. Hence the choice to “step back”, thanking Carlo Conti and Rai. “In 2026 the term fascist shoudl no longer exist,” he says. «Homophobia and racism are terms that highlight hatred of the human race and I have never hated anyone».
Reactions in the majority
The first Giorgia Meloni on social media he wrote: «It makes us think that in 2026 an artist should feel forced to give up doing his job due to the climate of intimidation and hatred that has been created around him. I express solidarity with Andrea Pucci, who has decided to give up Sanremo due to the insults and threats aimed at him and his family.
It is unacceptable that ideological pressure reaches the point of pushing someone to give up going on stage. But also – he underlines – this tells of the double standards of the left, which considers satire (including insults) “sacred” when it is aimed at it’s opponents, but calls for censorship against those who say things that the left itself does not agree with. The illiberal drift of the left in Italy is becoming frightening.” The leader of the League Matteo Salvini on social media he posted a photo of the comedian and wrote: «I’m with Andrea Pucci. Long live freedom of thought, words and smile.”
«I phoned my friend Andrea Pucci to express my closeness to him and to invite him to think again. I understand his decision, taken as a decent person that he is, but my hope is that he can retrace his steps.I have always maintained that satire cannot and should not be censored: I thought so when openly left-wing comedians took the Sanremo stage, and I say it today with Pucci. My sympathy goes to him and his family for the threats received”, he declares Ignazio La Russa, president of the Senate. The disappointment of the deputy prime minister and leader of Forza italia spreads on social media Antonio Tajani. “The latest victim of political correctness is andrea Pucci, who gave up on Sanremo due to the controversy that exploded around his satire. Why this cultural double standard? Defending freedom also means defending freedom of expression and speech, both artistic and cultural. It is indeed not acceptable for someone to want to impose a single thought,especially on the means of public communication. My solidarity goes to Andrea Pucci and his family for the threats received”.