Roberto Vannacci faces criticism over skirt remarks after welcoming new lawmaker to party

Television remarks on female attire

Roberto Vannacci, leader of the far-right Futuro Nazionale party and a former chief of the Folgore paratroopers, prompted criticism on Tuesday following comments regarding women's clothing during an appearance on Sky TG24. Asked on the morning program Start whether he preferred women in long or short skirts, Vannacci answered that he preferred women without skirts. The question followed earlier remarks by Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the Itaca political event in Formello. Tajani had stated that if advising his son on marriage, he would recommend choosing a serious, credible woman who wears longer skirts rather than shorter ones. Tajani later issued an apology on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, stating that his remarks had been taken out of context, that he had never intended to offend women, and pointing to his appointments of female ambassadors to Iran and Afghanistan.

Between a woman in a long skirt and a woman in a short skirt, I always prefer a woman without a skirt.

Defection and party expansion

Hours after the television broadcast, Vannacci addressed the controversy during a press conference at the Chamber of Deputies, speaking via video link from Brussels. The event was held to announce that Sicilian lawmaker Tommaso Calderone had left Forza Italia to join Futuro Nazionale. Calderone became the party's ninth deputy in the Chamber of Deputies. Vannacci opened the introduction with provocative language, telling Calderone he was entering a squad of rejects and scum, and comparing the nine deputies to the nine circles of hell. He added that if a lucky tenth member arrived, it would be Satan in person.

Defense against sexism accusations

During the press conference, Vannacci rejected accusations of sexism and machismo, saying his television response was light-hearted and in tune with the question asked. He argued that journalists were showing malice by interpreting his statement as referring to nudity, asserting that a woman not wearing a skirt could be dressed in trousers. Vannacci stated that he was not a prude and did not classify women by clothing, calling women a gift of the universe and the only beings able to give life. He stated that he bows before women while rejecting any homogenization with men or attempts to delegate natural characteristics to personal perception.

The fact that you referred to women without clothes reveals your personal malice, because a woman without a skirt could have trousers.

Cross-party political reactions

Political figures from both the ruling coalition and opposition parties condemned Vannacci's statements. Simona Loizzo, a deputy from the League, stated that public officials should use different language in a country facing femicide and violence against women, arguing that women are not objects for bar jokes. Raffaella Paita of Italia Viva described the remarks as a total lack of institutional and cultural respect toward women. Elisabetta Piccolotti of the Green-Left Alliance criticized Tajani, education minister Giuseppe Valditara over sex education restrictions, and Vannacci, asserting that Vannacci was regressing toward an animal state. Futuro Nazionale, which Vannacci established with remigration as its main policy proposal, is currently polling at over 7%.