Vilimsky in turmoil

Vilimsky called female EU politicians “witches”

Women's Affairs Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) finds the statements made by blue EU mandate holder Harald Vilimsky "absolutely unacceptable".(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH, APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

FPÖ MEP Harald Vilimsky has described the newly elected President of Parliament Roberta Metsola, ECB President Christine Lagarde and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as a "trio of political witches". The remark was made at a press conference in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Women's Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) and the women's spokespersons of the Greens, SPÖ and NEOS are appalled and have taken to the barricades.

The three female politicians are leading the continent into the abyss, "and we will let them feel the whip", said Vilimsky on Wednesday. They deserved it for "improprieties, for all the undemocratic procedures". Women's Affairs Minister Raab emphasized: "Such statements have no place in a democratic society and are absolutely unacceptable." Party colleague Reinhold Lopatka demanded the immediate resignation of the blue mandate holder.

Greens: "Apology would be the least we could do"
Green Party deputy leader Meri Disoki described Vilimsky as a sexist who was "afraid of strong women". She accused the winner of the European elections in Austria of trivializing violence against women. "Once again, the FPÖ is contributing to the normalization of misogyny and violence. That is completely unacceptable. An apology from Vilimsky would be the least we could do", said the Green Women's Chairwoman.

Harald Vilimsky has described EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, ECB Director Christine Lagarde and EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola as a "political witch trio", causing outrage.(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

SPÖ: "Reminiscent of the Dark Ages"
 "Statements like these are reminiscent of the Dark Ages and are unworthy of a democratic discussion", said SPÖ Women's Chair Eva-Maria Holzleitner. What was said was sexist and glorified violence. The politician expects an "immediate apology and a distancing of the FPÖ from these statements".

Statements like these are reminiscent of the Dark Ages and are unworthy of a democratic discussion.

SPÖ-Frauenvorsitzende Eva-Maria Holzleitner

NEOS: "Miserable sausage"
Women's spokesperson Henrike Brandstötter spoke on behalf of the NEOS. "Vilimsky is a sexist and a puny sausage. Thank you for your attention," wrote the member of the National Council on Thursday on X.

Frauenring: "Vilimsky has a massive problem"
The chairwoman of the Austrian Women's Ring, Klaudia Frieben, also criticized Vilimsky's statements as an "unbelievable derailment". "If Mr. Vilimsky does not know how to treat strong women in politics with respect, he has a massive problem."