Conti: "Meloni? If she buys a ticket, she can come". The premier: "Fabricated news about me"
Carlo Conti stated that Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni can attend the Sanremo Festival if she buys a ticket, dismissing a formal invitation, while Meloni responded to the rumors about her attendance as fabricated news.
During a press conference at the Sanremo Festival, artistic director Carlo Conti commented on the speculation regarding Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni's potential attendance. He emphasized that as a political figure, Meloni could attend the festival like any other citizen if she purchases a ticket. Conti made it clear that the decision does not lie with him, contrasting his current role with past instances where political figures were more directly invited or excluded by festival organizers.
The Italian state broadcaster, RAI, clarified that there would not be an invitation extended to Meloni, supporting Conti's stance. RAI's communication director Fabrizio Casinelli reinforced that it is not within their prerogative to invite political leaders formally. This illustrates ongoing tensions in how politics and public events, especially cultural ones like the Sanremo Festival, can intersect and the implications that come with it.
In response to the discussions about her possible presence at the festival, Premier Meloni dismissed the rumors as fabricated news, asserting her independence as a politician. This interaction further showcases the complicated relationship between the Italian government and public events, wherein political figures are often scrutinized for their engagement in cultural festivals, particularly in an environment where events like Sanremo hold significant public interest and media coverage.