Italy's Meloni accused of courting far-right voters with new migrant school rules

Critics have accused Meloni of intensifying her rhetoric on immigration ahead of Italy's next general election Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has approved new school rules limiting some foreign pupils in classrooms and banning burqas and niqabs, drawing criticism from opposition parties and rights campaigners. The decree introduces a 30 percent cap in some classes for foreign students who do not have sufficient Italian schooling or language experience. Students born and raised in Italy or with several years of Italian schooling can be exempt. The measures are expected to take effect from the 2027-28 school year. Meloni called them 'commonsense measures that do not divide but genuinely help to integrate', according to The Guardian. The rules also ban burqas and niqabs during school activities. Parents of students who face persistent integration or language difficulties could be required to attend free Italian language courses, with fines possible for failing to comply. Critics have accused Meloni of intensifying her rhetoric on immigration ahead of Italy's next general election. Daniela Ionita, from campaign group Italians Without Citizenship, told The Guardian: 'Because there are now new parties pushing from the right, I think Meloni is scared.' According to The Guardian, Opposition Democratic party leader Elly Schlein called the decree 'shameful', arguing the government should instead address problems including school infrastructure, textbook costs and teacher salaries.