Spain's opposition demands ban on wearing burqa and niqab in public places. A representative of the Popular Party announced that the party will support a proposal by the far-right Vox on the subject.
Santiago Abascal's Vox party is expected to introduce the change in the lower house of parliament next week. Deputies will debate a proposal to ban the wearing of the niqab and burqa, including in "private places overlooking a public space or use". The measure does not affect the hijab, or Islamic veil, a garment and symbol of religious identity that covers only the hair and neck.
The spokesperson for the Popular Party, Esther Muñoz, confirmed that her party will vote in favor of the initiative. "We must focus on the issues that unite us", she said, referring to the far-right party.
The texts provide for sentences of one year and six months to three years in prison for those who impose "through violence, intimidation or any form of coercion the wearing of the niqab and burqa". The changes also provide for a fine of up to 600 euros for wearing the niqab or burqa in public places. Repeated violations can be punished with a fine of up to 30,000 euros.
Catalonia is in force with a warning for strong winds and waves up to 2.5 meters high. Civil protection has activated a plan for dangerous meteorological phenomena.
After reaching 160 km/h on Saturday, wind speed in Catalonia has decreased, but the danger has not passed. A new front is expected to affect the coast of Barcelona and the Tarragona region. Strong winds are expected to spread to the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees regions.
Regarding sea conditions, the Civil Protection maintains a high wave warning.
Regarding the risk of avalanches, the danger is assessed at level 4 on a scale of 5 in the Aran Valley and the northern part of the Palaresa mountain range and at level 3 in the rest of the mountainous areas.
As a result of the wind, numerous accidents have occurred on the road network in the last 24 hours. A section of the motorway to France was closed due to a fallen tree. In another area, a truck overturned, leading to traffic restrictions.
50 people were evacuated due to a forest fire near Cartagena. Firefighters also rescued two tourists from a cave near the fire.
Strong winds that hit much of the Iberian Peninsula on Saturday have sparked several forest fires in the Murcia region. One of the most serious broke out overnight in the Sierra de la Muela natural park, near Cartagena, forcing the evacuation of around 50 people from the area. As a precaution, the fire service has ordered the evacuation of around 70-80 caravans.
A man and woman who were hiking in a cave in the area found themselves surrounded by fire. Since they could not be rescued by land, the Civil Guard's Maritime Service managed to reach the bay and take them to a nearby port.
Efforts to extinguish the fire continued throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning in adverse conditions characterized by strong winds. Initial hypotheses point to downed power lines as the cause. It is believed that these ignited the fire, and the winds helped it spread rapidly.
According to initial estimates, the fire has burned 98 hectares of bushes and low vegetation.