Bulgaria's Plovdiv Rejects Proposal for Banning Full-Face Veils

The local administration of Bulgaria's second-biggest city has turned down a draft that would have outlawed the wearing of veils that cover most of the face in public places.

The decision of municipal councilors is a result of a proposal put forward by nationalist VMRO party's Aleksandar Sisi.

It makes Plovdiv Bulgaria's first city to vote against a similar proposal after other places adopted the so-called "burqa ban" (which, however, refers to other kinds of veils and clothing used not only for religious purposes).

Earlier this year, the cities of Stara Zagora and Pazardzhik implemented the ban, and others are yet to discuss it.

But in Plovdiv, councilors rejected the idea by a majority of 15 to 12, with 21 abstentions.

A move to restrict the use of veils in public places was initiated by councilors in several Bulgarian cities after a statement by Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov, who said a ban was needed across the country on security grounds.

Separately, a nationwide bill submitted by the nationalist Patriotic Front coalition (of which VMRO is part) was approved by a committee of lawmakers and is yet to be debated and voted by the full Parliament.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!