Key Takeaways
- The legislation now moves to committee review before potential presidential approval.
- Portugal’s parliament approved a bill banning face veils in most public spaces.
- Violators could face fines up to €4,000 or prison for forcing others to cover their face.
LISBON — Portugal’s parliament passed legislation Friday that would prohibit face coverings worn for religious or gender-related reasons in public spaces, positioning the country to join several European nations that have implemented similar restrictions.
The bill, introduced by the far-right Chega party, received support from center-right lawmakers while facing strong opposition from left-wing parties who condemned it as discriminatory.
The proposed law imposes fines ranging from €200 to €4,000 for individuals wearing full-face veils in public, with exemptions for places of worship, diplomatic facilities, and aircraft.
Those convicted of compelling others to cover their faces could face prison sentences of up to three years. Chega leader André Ventura described the vote as a “historic day” for Portuguese democracy, asserting the measure protects women’s rights and national identity.
During heated parliamentary debates, left-wing female lawmakers confronted Ventura, arguing the legislation targets Muslim women and undermines personal freedoms.
The People-Animals-Nature party and Together for the People abstained from voting, warning the bill could exacerbate social prejudice.
The legislation now advances to the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs for review, with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa retaining authority to veto the measure or refer it to constitutional scrutiny.
If enacted, Portugal would follow France, Belgium, Austria, and the Netherlands in restricting face coverings, despite the relatively small number of Muslim women in Portugal who wear full veils.
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