Lleida municipal government advances civic ordinance including face veil ban

The municipal government of Lleida, led by the PSC, is moving forward with a proposed Civic and Coexistence Ordinance despite failing to secure support in an information commission. Opposition groups, including PP, ERC, and Comú, voted against the measure, while Junts and Vox abstained. The government intends to bring the text to a plenary session scheduled for September 25.

A key component of the ordinance is Article 12, which prohibits wearing clothing or items that completely conceal the face in public spaces. While the text includes exceptions for religious settings, traditional acts, and the exercise of fundamental rights, Mayor Fèlix Larrosa defended the measure by stating that the Quran does not mandate full body coverage and that the focus is on women's rights and social coexistence rather than security. To support women who might face family pressure regarding the use of a niqab or burqa, the city plans to implement a socio-educational intervention plan.

The ordinance also introduces increased penalties for various infractions. Fines for violating face-covering rules are expected to range between 400 and 1,500 euros depending on the specific context. Additionally, the regulation aims to combat prostitution by imposing fines between 1,000 and 1,500 euros for those soliciting sexual services. Other proposed sanctions include fines for public urination, excessive nighttime noise, and street drinking.