User:Georgeanderson121/sandbox

Germany
In June 2019, German courts overruled and lifted the ban citing violations to the German constitution's call for equality.

In June 2018, a school in western Germany created controversy after it was found handing out burkinis to students who otherwise refused to attend swim classes. Some argued that the school is sending a mysogynistic message, including Julia Klöckner, a member of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic party, who said the school creates a "misogynistic understanding in a place where children and teenagers are supposed to learn the opposite." Others, including Franziska Giffey, the German minister of family affairs, support the school's decision saying, "the most important thing is the well-being of the children, and that means that all learn to swim." The school has stated that birkinis were paid for by private donations.

Switzerland
In December 2017, the Swiss city of Geneva passed a law requiring swimmers to wear swimsuits that do not go lower than the knee and keep the swimmer's arms bare. The city passed the law under hygiene concerns with a vote of 41 to 30 in favor of redefining the definition of swimwear. The definition sparked controversies among some, including Sami Kanaan, the city's socialist administrative advisor, who called the rule a "denial of an open, multicultural and liberal Geneva". The rule is an extension of one passed in September which only authorized swimmers to wear "any clothing that is specifically used for swimming". The September ruling was a result of young people swimming in public pools in "streetwear", raising questions about hygiene. The updated ruling makes Geneva the latest European city to effectively ban burkinis.