The motion was approved by conservative and right-wing legislators.
The Balearic Islands parliament has voted in favour of a motion calling on the national government to ban burqas in Spain. It passed with support from conservative Partido Popular and far-right Vox parties, while the independent, socialist, and far-left parties voted against it, accusing the conservatives of “seeking headlines” with a “racist” agenda.
Balearrc MP Cristina Gil called the burqa “a prison of fabric” that shouldn’t be allowed in public spaces. She said: “It renders women invisible and annihilates them, reducing them to a curtain.” Lluís Apesteguia, of left-wing party Més, said the motion was only put forward to “gain electoral advantage”.
The conservative and far-right parties called for the ban. (Image: Getty)
Vox wanted to take the measure one step further and called for the hijab to be banned also, but this was met with opposition from both sides.
Portugal’s parliament has also approved a bill proposed by the far-right Chega party in October, which would bar people from wearing face coverings – such as a niqab and burqa – for “gender or religious motives”.
The country’s president is to sign the legislation into law, after which individuals risk a €4,000 (£3,496) fine if they don the item of clothing in a prohibited place.
There will also be prison terms of up to three years in the offing for anyone who “forces” another person to wear one.
Portugal will then join France, Belgium, Austria and Denmark in observing a general prohibition on the face coverings in public.
The Netherlands and some areas of Italy, Germany and Spain, meanwhile, have restrictions in place in specific places, such as schools, hospitals or on public transport.
Those in favour of a ban argue that people should not appear in public without being identifiable.
