The Austrian parliament approves a ban on hijabs for schoolgirls up to 14 years old.
The National Council approved a ban on wearing the hijab for girls under 14 years old, starting in the second semester with an awareness phase, and financial penalties of up to 800 euros will be imposed starting from the 2026/27 school year amid wide political and social controversy.
The parliament is discussing, alongside the ban, a package of legislation related to school law, which includes new measures to support students who have been suspended from school. The session also includes the adoption of legislation aimed at addressing what is known as 'Parkplatz-Abzocke', in addition to establishing the legal foundations for a new health reform fund.
According to the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, today's session opened with a question-and-answer segment directed at the Minister of Transport (Peter Hanke), before the deputies moved on to a busy agenda that includes 26 items. The most complex point on today's agenda remains the attempt to gather a two-thirds majority to pass the 'Günstiger-Strom-Gesetz' related to electricity market reform, which requires support from one of the opposition parties and is scheduled for discussion in the evening.
These developments coincide with the ongoing political debate over laws related to schools, energy, and health reforms, while the parliament is under pressure to finalize these legislations before the end of the parliamentary session.