Eurovision 2015: Vienna's gay-themed traffic lights to stay for grand final and beyond

Reports claim a councilwoman in the city believes they have already achieved cult status

The traffic lights have proved popular, but not with everyone (Reuters)

Vienna’s gay-themed pedestrian traffic lights are here to stay. Instead of the usual stickfigure, the lights show couples – a man and a woman, two women or two men. Set up recently at 47 crossings, they were to be taken down in June after several gay-friendly events, including Eurovision.

But Vienna councilwoman Maria Vassilakou, in charge of traffic issues, says they will now remain. State broadcaster ORF quoted her as saying they have already achieved cult status.

The right-wing Freedom Party says it will lodge a criminal complaint against Ms Vassilakou for allegedly contravening traffic regulations and wasting taxpayers’ money at a cost of €63,000 (£45,200). But a Facebook page calling for them to be retained has gathered more than 20,000 likes.

Meanwhile in Germany, Munich’s city council has voted to install its own similar gay-themed traffic signals.

AP