The Spanish Congress of Deputies rejected a bill prohibiting the wearing of burqas and niqabs in public spaces. The initiative by the right-wing party Vox was blocked by votes from minority groups, including the Catalan Junts, even though this party plans to submit its own bill. The dispute revealed deep divisions between the left and right regarding the boundaries of religious freedom, protection of women's rights, and the integration of the Muslim community in Spain.

Rejection of Vox's Bill

The Congress of Deputies by a vote of 177 to 170 rejected the bill banning burqas and niqabs, despite support from the People's Party.

Local Ban in Alcalá

The authorities of Alcalá de Henares passed a ban on face coverings in public administration buildings, representing a new path for the right.

Divisions in the Catalan Camp

The Junts party voted against Vox but announced its own legislative initiative to regulate this issue.

The Spanish political landscape has been dominated by a heated debate concerning banning face coverings in public places. The legislative initiative, submitted by the conservative party Vox, proposed a total ban on the use of burqas and niqabs. During the vote in the Congress of Deputies, the bill was rejected by a majority of 177 votes, with support from the People's Party (PP). The Junts party played a key role; although it agrees with the idea of a ban, it voted against the competitor's project while announcing work on its own, separate regulation. Despite the defeat at the central level, the right has begun implementing similar restrictions locally. The city of Alcalá de Henares became an example of the new strategy by PP and Vox, introducing a ban on entry to municipal buildings in face-covering attire. Supporters of the ban argue that it is necessary for public safety and protecting women from oppressive symbols of patriarchy. Meanwhile, the left and Muslim organizations emphasize that the scale of the problem is marginal and that the proposal is stigmatizing and infringes on freedom of religion. The President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, described the debate as artificial, noting that it does not reflect real social problems, as women in full veils are rare in Spain. Gabriel Rufián from ERC also spoke, calling the wearing of burqas "barbarism" but criticizing the right for instrumentalizing feminism. The issue also raises legal dilemmas—experts recall conflicting rulings by international bodies. In 2011, France became the first country in Europe to introduce a total ban on face coverings in public places, paving the way for similar regulations in Belgium, Austria, and Denmark. „A true secular left cannot allow women to become invisible in this way.” — Gabriel Rufián 177 — votes against rejected the burqa ban bill Voting in Congress on Vox: Against: 177, For: 170 Approach to Face-Covering Ban: Vox / PP: No nationwide restrictions → Postulate of a total legislative ban; Local governments: Freedom of attire → Local bans in offices (Alcalá); Left / Government: Indifference → Analysis regarding women's rights, fear of Islamophobia

Mentioned People

  • Gabriel Rufián — Spokesperson for the left-wing party ERC in parliament, strongly criticizing the wearing of burqas despite political differences with the right.
  • Salvador Illa — President of Catalonia (Generalitat), who described the debate on the ban as an element of political gamesmanship.
  • Alberto Núñez Feijóo — Leader of the People's Party, aiming to strengthen the party's course in the face of Vox's rising poll numbers.