The municipal council in the southern Bulgarian town of Pazardzhik voted on April 27 2016 overwhelmingly in favour of a ban on the wearing of the burqa in public places.
The ban, proposed by municipal councillors from the National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria (NFSB), was approved by 39 votes in favour, with two against – from the EuroRoma party, and no abstentions.
Pazardzhik municipality, which has a population of about 130 000 in the town of that name and 31 surrounding villages, is the only municipality in Bulgaria to have voted such a ban. However, the nationalist Patriotic Front, of which the NFSB is part, is putting similar proposals to other municipalities and has tabled legislation to the same effect in the National Assembly.
The ban, expected to come into force next week, prohibits the wearing of burqas in public and government buildings and other public places including streets, parks, gardens, restaurants, shops and public transport. [The Sofia Globe] Read more
