Circo Massimo – Lo spettacolo della politica

Episode: I deliri di Vannacci, tra De Gaulle e generale Damigiani
Host: Massimo Giannini
Date: February 5, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Massimo Giannini offers a sharp, satirical analysis of the latest developments around General Roberto Vannacci’s political ambitions and the birth of his new party after breaking from the Lega. The episode masterfully weaves together political commentary, historical analogies, and references to Italian pop culture, challenging the grand claims made by Vannacci’s supporters and critiquing the broader state of the Italian right.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The “De Gaulle” Comparison (00:32–01:56)

• Emanuele Pozzolo, a right-wing figure known for controversy, claims Vannacci is “the new De Gaulle” as Vannacci prepares to launch his own party post-Lega split.
  • Giannini ironizes this “rather demanding prophecy,” reminding listeners of Pozzolo’s own infamy and sidelining from Fratelli d’Italia.
  • Quote:

    “Vannacci sarà il nuovo De Gaulle. Questa profezia piuttosto impegnativa l'ha pronunciata in queste ore Emanuele Pozzolo…”
    (00:32, Massimo Giannini quoting Pozzolo)

Satirical Parallel: General Damigiani and Italian Pop Culture (01:56–02:57)

• Giannini playfully contrasts the image of “General De Gaulle” with the fictional “General Damigiani” from the comedic radio show “Alto Gradimento.”
  • He plays a clip from the show highlighting absurd military banter, framing Vannacci more as a Damigiani than a De Gaulle.
  • Quote:

    “Me ne voglia Roberto Vannacci, ma quando penso a lui e al suo nuovo partito che nasce, più che al generale De Gaulle, penso al generale Damigiani.”
    (02:57, Massimo Giannini)

  • This sets the tone: Vannacci’s foray into politics evokes less the gravitas of statesmen and more the farce of parody.

Dissecting Vannacci's Politics and Cultural Roots (02:57–06:20)

• Giannini deconstructs Vannacci’s ideological background as an “unbelievable mix”:

  • Fascism of Mussolini and the wartime Decima MAS
  • Qualunquismo—anti-political populism of Guglielmo Giannini
  • Populismo grilloleghista—the populist style of the Five Star Movement and Salvini’s Lega
  • Narcissism as the personal touch
  • Quote:

    “Mescolate il tutto, metteteci sopra una componente di narcisismo inarrivabile ed avrete Roberto Vannacci…”
    (~03:50)

• The origins of Vannacci’s split:

  • Salvini recruited Vannacci to shore up weak support before the European elections—a “laboratory” pact doomed by internal tensions.
  • Vannacci’s electoral pull (500,000 preferences) helped steady the Lega, but incompatibility led to their split.
  • Vannacci accuses the Lega of betrayal, giving concrete examples: discrepancies on Ukraine arms, family values, pension reform (legge Fornero), and security.
  • Giannini suggests this is an unsurprising outcome of Salvini’s own ambiguous politics.

The “Deliri” of Vannacci: A Catalog of Controversial Positions (06:20–09:30)

• Giannini enumerates Vannacci’s most controversial views—“deliri” (delusions)—taken from his bestselling book Il mondo al contrario:
  • “Ghei, non siete normali, fatevene una ragione.”
  • Celebrating the fascist Decima MAS.
  • Claiming “remigrazione” (forced repatriation) is a human right.
  • Defining family strictly as man + woman, with prescribed gender roles.
  • Refusing aggravating circumstances for femicide.
  • Denying citizenship to immigrants, even those born in Italy.
  • Praising self-defense—even shooting unthreatening burglars—as always legitimate.
  • Quote:

    “È il nome di questi deliri, possiamo definirli così, che oggi Vannacci fonda il suo nuovo partito. Un partito che sarà e incarnerà una destra non moderata, perché nessun pugile vince con pugni moderati…”
    (~08:40, Massimo Giannini)

Consequences for the Italian Right (09:30–12:00)

• What does Vannacci’s new party mean for the right?

  • Positions itself as uncompromisingly nationalist and sovereignist.
  • Hierarchy of values: “Italia, patria, Stato, istituzioni, diritto.”
  • Will not hesitate to oppose the government now led by Meloni.
  • Early polling suggests limited support (2–4%), but even a small party can alter Italy’s “fractured, proportional” system.
    • Potential to spoil majorities or sabotage coalitions—posing a threat not just to Salvini but to Meloni and the broader right.
    • Quote:

      “Un partitino anche col 2% può fare danni enormi, può sabotare provvedimenti, può impedire che una maggioranza vada avanti.”
      (~11:15, Massimo Giannini)

• Closing ironic commentary:

  • Giannini wonders whether Vannacci will really play the part of the “new Ghino di Tacco” (a legendary Italian bandit, symbol of cunning opposition), or if he’s mostly bluster.
  • Quote:

    “Per intanto, quello che si può dire di lui, riecheggiando il generale De Gaulle, è ‘vast program’.”
    (~12:00, Massimo Giannini)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On the absurdity of De Gaulle comparison:

  “Vannacci sarà il nuovo De Gaulle. Questa profezia piuttosto impegnativa l'ha pronunciata in queste ore Emanuele Pozzolo […]”
  (00:32, Giannini quoting Pozzolo)

• On Vannacci as a Damigiani-level comic general:

  “Me ne voglia Roberto Vannacci, ma quando penso a lui e al suo nuovo partito che nasce, più che al generale De Gaulle, penso al generale Damigiani.”
  (02:57, Giannini)

• On the recipe for Vannacci’s ideology:

  “Mescolate il tutto, metteteci sopra una componente di narcisismo inarrivabile ed avrete Roberto Vannacci…”
  (~03:50, Giannini)

• On the dangers of small parties in proportional systems:

  “Un partitino anche col 2% può fare danni enormi, può sabotare provvedimenti, può impedire che una maggioranza vada avanti.”
  (~11:15, Giannini)

• Final jab, referencing De Gaulle:

  “Per intanto, quello che si può dire di lui, riecheggiando il generale De Gaulle, è ‘vast program’.”
  (~12:00, Giannini)

Important Timestamps

• 00:32–01:56 – The “De Gaulle” prophecy and Pozzolo’s background
• 01:56–02:57 – Interlude from “Alto Gradimento”: General Damigiani parody
• 02:57–06:20 – Vannacci’s political genealogy and the Lega split
• 06:20–09:30 – Vannacci’s controversial policies and worldview
• 09:30–12:00 – Impact on the Italian right, risks in proportional systems, closing satire

Tone and Style

• Giannini’s language is sharp, ironic, and rich with cultural references.
• The episode balances critique, humor, and political analysis, mocking grandiose self-comparisons on the far-right and warning of the dangers of unchecked extremism—even in small parties.

This summary distills all key themes, arguments, and memorable moments, providing a vivid portrait of the episode for those who haven’t listened.