Earlier this month, the European Commission revealed it would take another 70 years to close the gender pay gap at the current pace of progress, despite the fact Europe is on of the world's leaders when it comes to gender equality.

So, imagine our horror when we heard Polish member of the European Parliament (MEP) recently embarked on a debate on the gender pay gap, claiming women should earn less, there are no women among the world's top chess players and are weaker when it comes to physics.

On Wednesday, Janusz Korwin-Mikke – a 74-year-old right-wing politician – said: 'Of course women must earn less than men because they are weaker, they are smaller and they are less intelligent, they must earn less, that's all.'

Er, no mate, that's not 'all'.

youtubeView full post on Youtube

Unsurprisingly, members of the chamber immediately condemned his statements, with Spanish politician Iratxe Garcia-Perez asking him if he thought she 'shouldn't have the right to be here as a member of parliament'.

She told Korwin-Mikke: 'And I know that it hurts you and bothers you that today women can sit in the House to represent citizens with the same rights as you. I am here to defend all European women from men like you.'

Check mate, Janusz.

View full post on Iframe

via GIPHY

Several other MEPs took to social media to criticise the misogynistic politician, calling his comments a betrayal of the 'values of the entire EU' and 'detrimental to society as a whole'.

Despite championing gender equality, the MEP still has a long way to go in leveling the playing field, as in 2014, only 37 per cent of the MEPs were women.

According to RT, Korwin-Mikke's misogynist comments have prompted an investigation by the European Parliament which could reportedly result in 'sanctions such as a reprimand, penalty or a temporary suspension'.

However, this isn't the first time the Polish MEP has voiced his sexist remarks, having previously denied women the right to vote, claiming they 'want to be led by men', and has encouraged men to ignore a partner who says no to sex.

Janusz Korwin-Mikke | ELLE UKpinterest
Getty Images

According to the Guardian, he once said: 'Women usually pretend that they don't want [sex]. You must be competent enough to differentiate whether she seriously doesn't want.'

Oh, and this is coming from a guy who also sparked outrage in 2015 when he was temporarily suspended from parliament after giving a Nazi salute.

Okay, someone needs to bring this guy down a peg or two.

Or three.

Or maybe just throw some pegs at him until he sees sense. That might work.

Headshot of Katie O'Malley
Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.