Why does Meloni want to ban burqas, niqabs in Italian schools? How Europe Regulates Islamic Veils | Explained | Today’s news

Italy plans to propose a ban on burqas and niqabs in schools, among other things, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said at an event by the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party on September 20.

Once enforced, the ruling would potentially put Italy back in the spotlight in Europe’s long-running debates about face veils, religious expression and integration.

Read also | An exhibition on the divine feminine and common myths between India and Italy

Meloni’s government will also propose limiting the number of foreign students in the classroom.

Prime Minister Meloni announced the proposed restrictions at a rally of the youth wing of her nationalist conservative party Brothers of Italy (FdI), saying she would also make Italian language lessons compulsory for parents of foreign students who have “serious problems integrating into the school system”.

“For us, anyone who comes to Italy and wants to build their future here must learn our language, understand our culture and respect our rules,” Meloni said to great applause at the Gioventu Nazionale national festival in Rome.

“It’s the only serious way to welcome them,” she said.

The proposal also aims for parents of foreign students who have serious problems with integration at school to learn Italian.

The ruling centre-right coalition is grappling with the rapid rise of Robert Vannacci’s National Future movement, which some polls now show as the second strongest right-wing political group after the Brothers of Italy, ahead of general elections expected next year.

Meloni’s government last week moved to scrap the road tax, a move widely seen as appeasing voters increasingly frustrated by spiraling energy prices.

Read also | Meloni plans to ban burqas and niqabs in Italian schools

Brothers of Italy is a national-conservative and right-wing populist political party in Italy led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

What exactly is Meloni proposing?

The proposal specifically refers to burqas and niqabs, but not the hijab.

Burkas are full-face veils that are sometimes worn Muslim women which hide the entire face including the eyes. They are not similar, but the eyes are visible. The hijab covers the hair and neck but leaves the face exposed.

“You have to go to school with your face uncovered,” Meloni said, arguing that no one in Italy should be able to decide that a young woman must hide her face in the name of tradition.

Italy already has a 1975 law restricting the wearing of clothing that makes identification difficult in public places. Italy has never had a nationwide law specifically banning burkinis or niqabs in schools. A 2008 ruling later clarified that full-face coverings can be worn for religious or cultural reasons as long as the face is uncovered when identity verification is required.

However, the anti-immigrant League partywhich is part of Meloni’s ruling coalition, introduced a bill earlier this year that would ban helmets or clothing except in specific circumstances, such as sporting events or places of worship.

What do the laws say in other countries in Europe?

The proposed school ban comes as Italy joins a wider European debate over the extent to which governments can regulate face-covering clothing.

Europe does not have a uniform rule for burqas and niqabs. Countries have taken different approaches, from blanket bans on public spaces to restrictions in schools, hospitals and public transport.

The proposed measure must still go through the legislative process before becoming law. Once approved by the government, the changes would need parliament to approve within 60 days.

Read also | How Trump forced Macron and Meloni to mend their relationship

This is how other countries in Europe have bans on hijabs and niqabs:

France: In 2011, France became the first European country to introduce a nationwide ban on face-covering clothing in public spaces. Violations are subject to a fine and, in some cases, a civic education course.

Belgium: In 2011, Belgium enforced a nationwide ban on wearing any clothing or veils that fully or partially cover the face in public. Violations can result in a fine and imprisonment for up to seven days.

In 2017, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Belgium’s ban on face coverings was not in violation European Convention on Human Rights.

Bulgaria: In Bulgaria, full-face veils have been banned in public spaces since 2016 and their wearing is restricted to private homes and places of worship.

Austria: In 2017, a nationwide ban on full-face coverings came into force in Austria as well. Later, the ban also applied to schools. From September 2026, girls under the age of 14 are banned from wearing Islamic headscarves at school.

Read also | An Iranian singer was flogged 74 times for not wearing a hijab

Denmark: In 2018, it also introduced a nationwide ban on face coverings in public places, including clothing such as the burqa and niqab.

Netherlands: In the Netherlands, a 2019 law restricts face coverings in places such as schools, hospitals, government buildings and public transport, rather than imposing a blanket public ban.

Switzerland: A national ban on face coverings in public spaces was enacted in 2023 after voters approved the measure in a national referendum.

Portugal banned face coverings in public spaces in August 2026, with exceptions including medical, professional, artistic and religious settings.

Thus, France, Belgium and Denmark broadly ban face coverings in public, while the Netherlands restricts them to specific settings. Meloni’s proposed move is more narrowly focused on schools, somewhat similar to what exists in Austria.

When are the next elections in Italy?

Meloni is also pushing an electoral law that would provide a seat bonus that would give election winners a more stable parliament and increase her chances of winning a majority in next year’s election. The lower house passed the Electoral Reform Bill last week and it will now go to the upper house.

The prime minister has repeatedly ruled out an alliance with Vannacci, who opposes sending aid to Ukraine and supports restrictions on abortion and stricter immigration. Earlier this month, Meloni’s reign became the longest since Italy became a republic in 1946.

Read also | “Italy never begs”: Meloni criticizes Trump, foreign minister cancels US visit

Italy’s next general election is due no later than 22 December 2027, although discussions in political circles have raised the possibility of an earlier vote in spring or autumn 2027.

You have to go to school with your face uncovered. No one in Italy should be able to decide that a young woman must hide her face in the name of tradition.

In the 2022 Italian general election, the centre-right coalition led by Giorgio Meloni’s Brothers of Italy (FdI) won an absolute majority of seats in the Italian parliament.