Pina Picierno, Italian vice-president of the European Parliament and a member of the Democratic Party (PD), has called for the cancellation of a concert in Caserta by a well-known Russian musician. "Valery Gergiev", says Picerno, "is a well-known supporter of Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin regime, he cannot play in Italy". Gergiev is a famous conductor and is scheduled to perform on July 27 at the Royal Palace of Caserta as part of the event "Un'estate da Re". The PD MEP isn't having it and publishes a polemical article on X, as well as a request to the Region's President, Vincenzo De Luca, to cancel the performance. "He refused to distance himself from the war and the criminal invasion of Ukraine; he has not conducted at La Scala or anywhere in Europe since," she explains. According to Picierno, the event is funded by public funds, which would exacerbate the situation. "Taxpayers' money should not be used to support a criminal dictatorship. These figures are used as less stern ambassadors to build goodwill towards Putin's regime".