Italy to Ban Burqas in Schools, Cap Foreign Student Numbers

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced Sunday that her government will soon introduce measures to ban burqas and niqabs in schools and to cap the number of foreign students in classrooms.

Meloni stated that the new policy would also mandate Italian language lessons for parents of foreign students who are experiencing difficulties 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 at a rally for the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party in Rome. "It is the only serious way to welcome them."

The proposed ban specifically targets the burqa, an all-covering garment worn by some Muslim women, and the niqab, a veil worn by more conservative Muslim women. The hijab, a headscarf, was not explicitly mentioned in the announcement.

The measure will require parliamentary approval within 60 days of its government endorsement to become law.

Meloni, whose political background is rooted in the far-right, has consistently adopted a firm stance on migration. However, she has evolved politically during her tenure as prime minister, transitioning from a nationalist figure to a more established presence among European Union politicians. Her administration, which recently became Italy's longest-serving uninterrupted government since World War II, is also introducing policies aimed at boosting popularity ahead of an upcoming general election, including exemptions from a property tax on smaller vehicles.