Spain’s parliament rejects bill seeking ban on niqab and burqa

Spain’s parliament rejects bill seeking ban on niqab and burqa
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Spain’s lower house of parliament has rejected a bill seeking to ban the wearing of the niqab and burqa in public spaces, following a vote held during a plenary session on Tuesday.

The proposal was introduced by the far-right party Vox under the title “Protecting Women’s Dignity and Public Security.” The draft legislation called for a nationwide prohibition on face-covering Islamic garments in public areas across Spain.

Although the conservative People’s Party and the Navarrese People’s Union backed the initiative, it failed to secure sufficient support. The Canary Coalition abstained, while the governing Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party and its parliamentary allies voted against the bill, leading to its defeat.

During the parliamentary debate, left-wing lawmakers accused Vox of promoting hatred and stoking social divisions. They argued that the proposed ban would not improve the situation of women, but could instead marginalize Muslim communities further and heighten social tensions.

Vox lawmakers defended the proposal by emphasizing what they described as the need to preserve Spain’s social and cultural identity. They argued that Spain should not allow practices they consider incompatible with national values and claimed that banning the niqab and burqa would contribute to public security.

Several European countries have already enacted full bans on face-covering veils in public spaces, including France, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, and Bulgaria. Other states, such as Germany, Norway, Italy, and Spain itself, apply partial restrictions or sector-specific limitations.

The vote underscores ongoing divisions within Spain over immigration, religious expression, and integration policies, amid broader debates taking place across Europe.