Political parties and institutions, a tribute to Pippo Baudo, a pop TV icon.

Institutions and politicians paid emotional tribute to Pippo Baudo, a recognized pop icon of television. President Sergio Mattarella expressed his deep sorrow at the passing of the great presenter, "a protagonist and innovator of television," and remembered his professionalism, culture, grace, and extraordinary ability to interpret the tastes and expectations of Italian viewers. Following his footsteps, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised one of the greatest figures in the history of Italian television, concluding with a "thank you for everything." The President of the Senate, and fellow Italian, Ignazio La Russa, also expressed his gratitude "in memory of a friend who brought prestige, in the world of entertainment, to Italy and our Sicily." "Bon voyage to Baudo, a companion on so many evenings," Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini wrote on social media. "The news of Pippo Baudo's passing saddens me deeply. A great protagonist of Italian television has left us," said Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana. The other Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, said: "A giant of television and an Italian admired and known throughout the world for his work," echoing the sentiments of many politicians and representatives of local institutions, such as Renato Schifani, former President of the Senate and current Governor of Sicily. Among the ministers, Tommaso Foti, who sees him as a piece of Italian history, said: "There is no one like Pippo. With his death, we lose not only a great protagonist of Italian television, but the most authentic interpreter of national popular television, of a RAI that no longer exists," said Sandro Ruotolo, Head of Information and Culture in the Democratic Party secretariat. "He was a true gentleman of television." "With his elegance, his education, and his innate ability to communicate, he wrote unforgettable pages in the history of our television," said Minister of Universities and Research Anna Maria Bernini. "He is a fundamental part of the history of Italian television. We mourn him with affection. I spoke to him recently, and he struggled to respond. Politically, he was never neutral in his choices. He was a stubborn Christian Democrat," recalled Benevento Mayor Clemente Mastella. "With his talent, his passion, and his elegance, he accompanied entire generations, writing indelible pages of our popular culture and becoming a familiar presence for millions of Italians, almost "one of the family," wrote Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in a post. "An innovator who marked the history of Italy with his artistic genius, writing indelible pages that will remain etched in the collective imagination," said Stefania Craxi, a Forza Italia senator. Just as Pierferdinando Casini remembers him as a great television personality, an authentic Italian and always a true Christian Democrat."