After Backlash Over Consecutive Inappropriate Remarks... Italian Mayor Says "I Will Follow Napoleon's Path"

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Stefano Bandeki (62), the mayor of Terni, a major city about 100 km northeast of Rome, the capital of Italy, is causing controversy for making vulgar remarks, including references to women's body parts, during a city council debate.

Mayor Stefano Bandecchi of Terni.
[Photo by Stefano Bandecchi, Instagram screenshot]

On the 24th (local time), local media reported that Mayor Bandeki made vulgar and sexist remarks at a discussion on eradicating violence against women held at the Terni city council on the 22nd. During the debate, Cinzia Fabrizi, a city council member from the right-wing party Fdl (Fratelli d'Italia, Brothers of Italy), criticized Bandeki's TV interview remark from last November, where he said, "A man who doesn't cheat is not normal." In response, Bandeki became irate and made discriminatory remarks.

Mayor Bandeki said, "If you are a normal Italian man or woman, you would understand what I mean, but Italy is full of idiots," adding, "Ordinary men sometimes hit on women when they see a beautiful butt. If they succeed, great; if they fail, they go home." When the audience's reaction turned cold, he added, "You may find this offensive, but this is simply my opinion."

Following Bandeki's remarks, city council members from all parties except his own right-wing party AP (Alternativa Popolare, Popular Alternative) unanimously demanded his immediate resignation. In response, Mayor Bandeki posted on his social media, "If you want to exile me, send me to Elba Island," adding, "I want to follow the same path as Napoleon."

Meanwhile, this is not the first time Mayor Bandeki has sparked controversy with his crude remarks. In August last year, he made headlines for threatening city council members by saying he would "pull out their teeth," using a somewhat aggressive tone. Last year, he also said, "Whenever a woman rejected me, I immediately went to find another woman, so I was happy," adding, "I have never thought about committing violence such as killing or hitting her, but an ordinary man sometimes has such urges. Nowadays, men live lives against nature, so in some cases, they become confused."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.