• Portugal's parliament approved a bill banning face veils for gender or religious reasons.
• The bill targets niqabs and burqas, aiming to restrict their use in public places.
• If signed into law, Portugal will join several European countries with similar bans.
• President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa may veto the bill or refer it for review.
• The legislation drew opposition from left-wing lawmakers, citing discrimination concerns.

Portugal's parliament has approved a bill banning face veils worn for “gender or religious motives” in most public spaces, a move spearheaded by the far-right Chega party. The bill specifically targets burqas and niqabs typically worn by some Muslim women and proposes fines for violations ranging from €200 to €4,000 ($234 to $4,670). Additionally, individuals forcing someone to wear a face veil could face prison sentences of up to three years. Despite the restrictions, face veils will still be permitted in airplanes, diplomatic premises, and places of worship, according to Al Jazeera, LA Times, and Reuters.

If enacted, Portugal will join other European nations, including France, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands, that already have similar bans in place. The measure has received backing from center-right coalition parties, despite facing significant opposition from left-wing lawmakers who argue that such legislation discriminates against foreign communities and those practicing different faiths. Chega leader Andre Ventura defended the bill’s necessity by claiming it protects women's rights and promotes equality, stating, “We are today protecting female members of parliament, your daughters, our daughters, from having to use burqas in this country one day,” according to Al Jazeera, LA Times, and Reuters.