The Portuguese Parliament approved, this Friday (17), the bill that prohibits the use of burqas in public spaces. The initiative, presented by Chega, received favorable votes from several right-wing and center-right parties. The project was approved with votes in favor from PSD, Chega, Liberal Initiative (IL) and CDS-PP. Votes Against: Left-wing opposition voted against the measure, including PS, Livre, PCP and Bloco de Esquerda (BE). PAN and JPP chose to abstain. Chega’s project aims to prohibit the “use, in public spaces, of clothing intended to hide or obstruct the display of the face”.
The proposal was explicitly defended as a way of prohibiting “women from wearing burqas in Portugal”, with the party leader, André Ventura, addressing immigrants in particular and arguing that anyone arriving in the country must “comply with, respect and ensure respect for the customs of this country and the values of this country”.
Right and center-right
IL and CDS-PP declared support for the initiative.
The PSD expressed itself “available to take this path”, but highlighted that the text “can and should be improved in a specialized capacity” (parliamentary committees).
Left
The PS defended the need for caution when drafting laws, arguing that the far right seeks to “direct hatred” against a “specific target”, namely the Muslim community. PCP and BE contested the proposal. Livre criticized Chega for presenting a deliberately “poorly done” project and considered that the debate should not be valued.
Justifications and controversy
During the debate, André Ventura argued that a woman “forced to wear a burqa” stops being “free and independent” and becomes “an object”. He also accused the left of hypocrisy for accepting a “culture that oppresses them”. The Chega leader said that the ban has already been adopted in “several European countries” and that the European Court of Human Rights validated the similar French law.
The debate was marked by controversial statements. Chega’s deputy, Madalena Cordeiro, criticized the opposition stating: “This is not Bangladesh where you do everything as you please” and argued that it is necessary “no more pretending that all cultures are equal.” Despite the initial approval in plenary, the project now goes to discussion in the specialty, where the final text may undergo changes before the final global vote.
*Report produced with the help of AI
Published by Fernando Dias
