Italy to Ban Face Veils in Schools, Cap Foreign Students

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced Sunday that her government will soon introduce a measure to ban the wearing of burqas and niqabs in schools. The proposed legislation also aims to cap the number of foreign students in classrooms and make Italian language lessons compulsory for parents of foreign students experiencing significant integration difficulties.

"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 stated at the national festival of the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party in Rome. "It is the only serious way to welcome them."

The Prime Minister specifically mentioned the burqa, an all-encompassing garment worn by some Muslim women, and the niqab, a veil that leaves only the eyes visible. The hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim women, was not mentioned in her remarks.

This policy proposal follows a period where Meloni's government became Italy's longest-serving uninterrupted government since World War II. Meloni, who has roots in the far-right, has maintained a strong stance on migration throughout her tenure. However, she has also navigated a path toward becoming an established figure within European Union politics.

The measure, once approved by the government, will require parliamentary approval within 60 days to become law. Meloni is also introducing other policies, such as an exemption from a property tax on smaller vehicles, to bolster her popularity ahead of the general election next year.