Italy’s Meloni proposes foreign student cap, school hijab ban amid far-right challenge

Italy’s government plans to introduce new rules limiting the number of foreign students in classrooms and banning burqas and hijabs in schools, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday. The proposals come as her coalition faces growing competition from Roberto Vannacci’s National Future movement before a general election expected next year.


Speaking at a Rome event organised by the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party, Meloni said the government would soon present the education measures to the cabinet.


“A measure will soon go before the cabinet that will establish by law a maximum number of foreign students per classroom,” Meloni said.

The proposed rules would also require parents of foreign students who face serious integration problems at school to learn Italian.

Existing 30% rule could become law

Italy already has a ministry directive that limits foreign students to 30% of a classroom. However, authorities have not enforced the provision, news agency Ansa reported earlier this month, citing Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara.

The government now plans to give the limit a legal basis.

Far-right party puts pressure on coalition

The move comes as National Future, led by former general Roberto Vannacci, gains support in opinion polls. Some surveys have placed the party ahead of other right-wing groups, except Meloni’s Brothers of Italy.

Vannacci has opposed military aid to Ukraine and called for stricter immigration rules and tighter abortion restrictions. Meloni has rejected the possibility of an alliance with him.

Her government has also backed the abolition of Italy’s vehicle ownership tax, a step seen as an attempt to win support from voters dealing with higher energy costs.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini is facing separate challenges within his League party. At the party’s annual rally in Pontida on Sunday, he said he would seek an extraordinary congress in October to confirm his leadership and address internal divisions.

Electoral reform bill moves to upper house

Meloni is also pursuing changes to Italy’s electoral system. The proposed law would give additional parliamentary seats to election winners, with the aim of producing more stable governments.

The lower house approved the bill last week. It will now be considered by the upper house.

Meloni’s administration recently became the longest-serving government since Italy became a republic in 1946.