It's sobering that in 2026, an artist should feel forced to give up his work due to the climate of intimidation and hatred that has surrounded him. I express my solidarity with Andrea Pucci, who has decided to withdraw from Sanremo due to the insults and threats directed at him and his family.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote this on social media after learning of the comedian's decision to backtrack after Carlo Conti had asked him to co-host the Ariston Theatre.

It's unacceptable that ideological pressure reaches the point of pushing someone away from a stage. But this also demonstrates the double standards of the left, which considers satire (including insults) "sacred" when it's directed at its opponents, but calls for censorship against those who say things the left itself doesn't agree with. The left's illiberal drift in Italy is becoming frightening.

Enrico Fresu

© Riproduzione riservata