Andrea Pucci withdraws from Sanremo 2026 amid threats and political controversy
The comedian decides not to participate in the Festival after insults and pressure, sparking a heated debate between left and right-wing politicians
Andrea Pucci renounces Sanremo, after the controversy that accompanied the announcement of his presence as co-host of the third evening. And his choice immediately became a political case, with Prime Minister Meloni and Vice-Premier Salvini riding the news, expressing solidarity with the comedian and speaking of a 'frightening illiberal drift of the Left'.
With these words, Andrea Pucci justified his choice: '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' that alters 'the fundamental pact with the public'. Hence the decision to 'take a step back', thanking Carlo Conti and Rai. "In 2026 the term fascist should no longer exist," he states. "Homophobia and racism are terms that highlight hatred of mankind and I have never hated anyone."
Reactions in the majority
Premier Giorgia Meloni wrote on social media: 'It makes one think that in 2026 an artist should feel forced to give up doing his job because of the climate of intimidation and hatred that has been created around him. I express solidarity with Andrea Pucci, who has decided to renounce Sanremo because of the insults and threats aimed at him and his family.
It is unacceptable that ideological pressure goes so far as to push someone to give up going on stage. But also,' he emphasises, 'this tells of the double standards of the left, which considers satire (including insults) to be 'sacred' when it is directed at its adversaries, but invokes censorship against those who say things that the left itself does not agree with. The illiberal drift of the left in Italia is becoming frightening'. League leader Matteo Salvini posted a photo of the comedian on social media and wrote: 'I'm with Andrea Pucci. Hurray for freedom of thought, words and smiles'.
'I phoned my friend Andrea Pucci to express my closeness and to invite him to reconsider. I understand his decision, taken by the decent person that he is, but my hope is that he may retrace his steps. I have always maintained that satire cannot and should not be censored: I thought so when openly left-wing comedians were on the Sanremo stage, and I say so today with Pucci. My sympathy goes out to him and his family for the threats received,' says Ignazio La Russa, President of the Senate. The deputy prime minister and Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani's disappointment travels on social media. "The latest victim of political correctness is Andrea Pucci, who has given up Sanremo because of the controversy that has erupted around his satire. Why this cultural double standards? Defending freedom also means defending freedom of expression and speech, artistic and cultural. It is not acceptable that someone wants to impose a single thought, especially on the public media. To Andrea Pucci and his family goes my solidarity for the threats received'.
