Burqas may be banned in Latvia

The new president of Latvia, Raimonds Vējonis, has stressed the need to start a discussion about a possible ban on wearing the burqa in the country, Delfi reports.

"I’m not saying that something should be prohibited or allowed on the spot. But these discussions should nevertheless be launched," Gazeta.ru cited the president as saying.

"Latvia’s society is an open one – we accept people from different ethnic backgrounds, we are tolerant toward them, and I see no reason why anyone should have to use such things," the politician said.

Earlier, the discussion about a possible ban on the burqa has begun by the Estonian Social Defence Minister, Marguss Cahkna.