Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani faces backlash over controversial remarks on women

Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, 73, is facing significant public and political backlash following comments he made at a conference regarding the selection of a marriage partner. Tajani suggested that he would advise his son to choose a "less striking" and more reliable woman, implying that such women, who might wear longer skirts, are more likely to be faithful and good mothers. In contrast, he claimed that more attractive or "glamorous" women might be prone to infidelity and divorce.

The remarks sparked widespread criticism across Italy, including from the Catholic Church and social media users who mocked the minister by digitally altering images of him wearing miniskirts. Although Tajani initially defended the views as a reflection on relationship stability, the Independent reports that he has since been forced to issue an apology for the statements, which were made during a political event on Friday.

The incident has created a sensitive situation for the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as Tajani leads the Forza Italia party, a key component of the ruling conservative coalition. While there is no ongoing formal investigation, the comments have significantly damaged his public standing and drawn attention to the gendered narratives present in current political discourse.