New draft law: ties for girls or freedom of religion?

New draft law: ties for girls or freedom of religion?

On November 3, 2025, the Austrian Education Minister Martin Wiederkehr is planning a new draft law that will ban the wearing of headscarves for girls up to the 8th grade. However, this proposal, which is part of a political pact between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS parties, is encountering considerable resistance. Wiederkehr emphasizes that it is important to find a balance between religious freedom and children's rights, and admits that changes in the framework have been necessary since the last discussion on the issue.

Wiederkehr also rejected the ÖVP's proposal to include the regulation in the constitution because it lacked the necessary approval from the SPÖ. The minister highlights the need for centralized education administration to address problems caused by regional education federalism, which many believe leads to inequalities.

Opposition to the draft law

The debate about the new law is complicated by the context: in 2019, a coalition of conservatives and liberals introduced the first law banning headscarves, which was overturned by the Constitutional Court in 2020. Klaudija Plakolm, the Minister for Integration, is optimistic that the new draft law will pass the test of the Constitutional Court. She describes the headscarf as a symbol of oppression, especially in countries with radical Islam.

The draft law is presented as a comprehensive package of social measures, with the headscarf bans being only one part of it. It is expected that around 12,000 girls from Muslim families could be affected. Penalties of up to 1,000 euros are envisaged for violations of the regulation. The measures also include training courses to empower girls and support for parents and younger men from Muslim families.

Reactions and legal concerns

Despite the political support, there are also critical voices. The Legal Equality Commission (GAW) sees the draft law as unconstitutional and a potential breeding ground for discrimination. The Islamic religious community in Austria also criticizes the project because it is perceived as an infringement on religious freedom. The opposition, led by the FPÖ and the Greens, appears divided in its support, with some MPs accusing the minister of a lack of support for teachers and real solutions.

Overall, the discussion about the headscarf bans and the associated laws in Austria continues to be accompanied by emotional arguments and legal concerns. It looks like the Constitutional Court will soon have to deal with the new draft law in order to decide on its constitutionality.

In summary, the educational landscape in Austria is currently facing challenges that not only affect the rights of children, but also social values ​​and religious freedom.

For more information about education reform in Austria you can visit the Ministry of Education on their website: bmb.gv.at.

You can find out more about the political debate on the headscarf bans at rts.rs.

For details about the introduction of the law, please see the article kroativ.at.