An Italian TV show has been cancelled after it suggested Eastern European girlfriends were “always sexy” and “forgive cheating”.
Rai, the state broadcaster, announced Parliamone sabato (Let’s talk about it on Saturday) was being axed following the airing of an episode called: ‘The threat comes from the east. Men prefer foreign women.’
Paola Perego, the programme's presenter, said they would explore “the phenomenon of eastern women, and the fascination they hold for men,” reports The Local.
The talk show’s subtitle asked: “Are they husband-stealers or perfect wives?”.
But a graphic which outlined “reasons to choose an eastern European girlfriend” sparked particular outrage.
The six-point list included “they are all mothers, but after giving birth they get back their statuesque physique,” and “they are always sexy – no sweatpants or baggy pyjamas”.
The remaining reasons include “they forgive cheating”, “they are willing to obey their man”, “they are perfect housewives” who learn at “a young age”, and “they don’t whine, are not clingy and don’t pout”.
The show discussed the alleged phenomenon and cited Donald Trump as an example of a man who has had multiple relationships with women from Eastern European countries.
Antonio Campo Dall’Orto, boss at Rai, announced the closure of the show, saying it was “just one of many examples of a toxic narrative on women” in television.
“We need a radical change to the way we talk about women, violence against women and respect for women," he said.
Laura Boldrini, president of one of the two houses in the Italian Parliament, said: “If we objectify women, from there it's a small step to violence.
"It's offensive to men as well as women, as if they were unable to interact with the other sex in a respectful, equal way."
