Barcelona Mayor Collboni calls for regulation of burqas in public spaces

Jaume Collboni opens the debate on full-face veils and introduces new 400-euro rental subsidies for vulnerable residents.

Generic image of a podium with microphones in an institutional press room.
IA

Generic image of a podium with microphones in an institutional press room.

The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, stated on February 18 that the city should consider regulating the use of the burqa in public to protect women's identity.

Speaking on RTVE, Collboni argued that while a total ban might not fully achieve the goal of ensuring freedom of choice, the issue must be addressed. He expressed that the full-face veil effectively denies a woman's identity, aligning his stance with recent legislative discussions in the Spanish Congress regarding religious garments in public areas.

"It is a debate that must be faced. I do not like women wearing the burqa because it is a way of denying their identity."

Jaume Collboni · Mayor of Barcelona
The Mayor also announced a new social housing initiative: a 400-euro monthly grant for single-parent families and individuals over 55 facing residential instability. Furthermore, he proposed banning non-EU citizens from purchasing property in Barcelona unless it is for their primary residence, aiming to curb real estate speculation.
Regarding city management, Collboni emphasized that the new Civility Ordinance will strictly penalize anti-social behavior, such as organized pub crawls. He also voiced his disagreement with Fira de Barcelona over the presence of Israeli companies at the MWC, citing his own diplomatic tensions with the Israeli government.