In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced last December that she would back a face veil ban “wherever legally possible.” Merkel is aiming to secure a fourth term as chancellor later this year, as the far-right Alternative for Germany party gains support on an anti-immigration platform. The Social Democratic Party and the Austrian People’s Party, which rule in a coalition, released a 35-page document outlining its vision for Austria as an “open society that requires open communication.”

“Full-face veils in public places are the opposite of that and will be banned,” the document said. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Several European countries have imposed a full-face veil ban and others are considering it

Austria's ruling coalition has agreed to prohibit full-face veils in public spaces such as courts and schools.
agrees to ban the full-face veil (burqa and niqāb) in public spaces, part of a larger deal struck by the center-left Social Democratic Party and the center-right Austrian People's Party to avoid the collapse of the ruling coalition government.