A new political conflict is flaring up in Spain that could shift the balance of power ahead of the elections. The authorities have announced plans to legalize more than half a million migrants who have been living in the country for at least five months. This decision was made by bypassing parliamentary procedures, which has already sparked a wave of criticism and heated debates among politicians and the public.
For many Spaniards, the news came as a surprise: the government decided to act through a special decree in order to avoid discussion and voting in the Congress of Deputies. This move is explained by the lack of necessary support among lawmakers, as well as the desire to speed up the process amid intensifying debate over migration policy.
Political divide
The situation worsened after the tragedy on the railway in Adamuz, where an accident claimed the lives of 45 people. Attention on the Minister of Transport increased sharply, and the opposition is using the occasion to criticize the government. Against this backdrop, the decision to legalize migrants en masse appears to be an attempt to deflect attention from the scandal and seize the initiative ahead of the elections.
Representatives of right-wing parties are reacting especially sharply to what is happening. The leader of one such party has already accused the authorities of ‘accelerating the migration influx,’ while political analysts note that the new initiative could play into the hands of the opposition, strengthening their positions in regions with low migration levels.
Conditions and timeline
Under the agreement reached between the government and left-wing parties, applications for legalization can be submitted until the end of June. Proof of residence in Spain can include a registration certificate, medical records, a rental contract, or other official documents. Importantly, the procedure does not require parliamentary review, meaning it does not need broad support among deputies.
Authorities emphasize that legalization will apply only to those without serious legal issues. However, the details of the vetting process and selection criteria remain unclear, raising additional questions among experts and the public.
Impact on elections
The decision to legalize a large number of migrants could significantly influence the course of the election campaign in several regions. In Extremadura, where the proportion of migrants is minimal, right-wing parties have already nearly doubled their support. In AragΓ³n, where elections will be held soon, a similar scenario is expected, and the opposition is actively using the migration issue to mobilize voters.
In AndalucΓa, by contrast, migrants make up a significant part of the population, especially in the provinces of MΓ‘laga and AlmerΓa. Here, the response to the government’s initiative is mixed: part of society supports the steps toward legalization, while others fear increased social tensions.
Parliament left aside
What makes the current situation unique is that the decision is being made without parliamentary debate. In the past, during previous large-scale legalization efforts for migrants in Spain, the process was widely supported by lawmakers. Now, however, most political forces either distance themselves from the initiative or openly oppose it.
The government, for its part, reminds the opposition that it had previously backed similar proposals but now has taken a tougher stance. As a result, migration has become the main tool of political struggle, and the fate of hundreds of thousands of people is at the center of heated debate.
Unexpected consequences
While some experts stress the need for urgent measures to regulate migrants’ status, others warn of risks to social stability and a possible rise in tensions within society. In any case, the authorities’ decision has already become a catalyst for new conflicts and could reshape the country’s political landscape in the coming months.
Against the backdrop of ongoing disputes over the causes of the railway disaster and officials’ responsibility, migration has moved to the forefront. The authorities are betting on polarizing society, while the opposition is relying on voter discontent. What the outcome will be remains to be seen in the near future.
