Overview
- Vox formally registered a national bill in Congress to prohibit face-covering garments such as the niqab and burka in public spaces.
- The proposal would add a Penal Code offense punishing the imposition of these garments with up to three years in prison and amend the Citizen Security Law to fine wearers up to 600 euros, with repeat violations rising to 30,000 euros, including sanctions for parents who impose them on minors.
- Party spokespeople framed the measure as protecting women and public security and as defending Spanish identity, while coverage noted confusion between niqab or burka and the more common hijab.
- Parliamentary processing is beginning with no vote secured, PP has yet to define its stance, and Junts could prove decisive for approval.
- Vox plans a coordinated push in regional chambers, though a similar initiative failed in the Balearic parliament after PP abstained, and any national ban would face constitutional scrutiny given a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that struck down a municipal burka ban.