Italy’s conservative government on Thursday has approved a school decree limiting classrooms to 30% of students with insufficient Italian-language skills and banning full-face Islamic veils, including burqas and niqabs.

Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni suffered election setbacks in two regions as the opposition Democratic party won a tight race in the central Umbria region and deepened its control of the traditional left-leaning stronghold of Emilia-Romagna.

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni’s is gathering momentum in her push to become Italy’s first female premier.

In this photo taken on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, Elly Schlein talks with people on a street after an interview with the Associated Press in downtown Bologna, Italy. A dual U.S.-Italian citizen who cut her political organizing teeth on two Barack Obama campaigns is emerging as the latest rising star in Italian politics. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

A dual U.S.-Italian citizen who cut her political organizing teeth on two Barack Obama campaigns is emerging as the latest rising star in Italian politics. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)BOLOGNA – A dual U.S.-Italian citizen who cut her political organizing teeth on two Barack Obama campaigns is emerging as the latest rising star in Italian politics. The loss in the Jan. 26 regional vote also delayed Salvini's ambition to re-take power in Italy's national government. With just three months of campaigning for a place on Emilia-Romagna's regional council, Schlein won the most write-in votes in the region's electoral history. One passer-by praised her as "a marvel" and declared her the next leader of the Italy’s left.