Italy introduces ban on veiling in schools and quota for foreign students

There is now a ban on veiling in all schools in Italy. In the evening, head of state Sergio Mattarella signed a legislative decree from the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as the presidential office in Rome announced. In addition, from the 2027/28 school year, there will be a 30 percent limit in the first grades of all school levels for foreign children who do not speak Italian properly.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who governs with a coalition of three right-wing and conservative parties, announced the controversial new regulation shortly after the summer holidays. Shortly afterwards the decree was approved by the cabinet. Meloni has been in office for almost four years, longer than any other post-war Italian head of government. The 49-year-old came to government with the promise of a tough course against migrants. New elections are expected to take place next year.

In principle, it is no longer permitted for schoolgirls to cover their faces with a burqa or niqab. Otherwise, the decree is primarily aimed at newly immigrated students: the 30 percent quota includes children who do not have Italian citizenship, were not born in Italy and have not attended an Italian kindergarten for at least two years. In middle and high school, foreign students must have previously attended Italian schools for at least three years.

The decree was issued as an emergency regulation so that it could come into force quickly. Parliament now has 60 days to convert it into regular law. Otherwise it will become invalid again. It's not just children who are affected: parents with significant language problems also have to take Italian lessons if communication with school is impaired.

There will be elections in Italy next year. In the polls, Meloni and her Fratelli d'Italia party are ahead of all other parties. In recent weeks, however, their right-wing coalition has come under increasing pressure from ex-general Roberto Vannacci's new party Futuro Nazionale (National Future). Vannacci's party is even further to the right and demands even tougher action against migration.