The question of who will be able to vote in the upcoming elections has become one of the most pressing issues for Spanish society. The government’s decisions regarding mass legalization and the granting of citizenship have sparked heated debate. For millions of residents, this is not just a political headline — it could change the balance of power in parliament and at the local level.
The opposition claims that the new rules could create millions of new voters. This could influence the outcome of the election and alter the usual political landscape. At the center of the debate are not only the procedures themselves but also the motives behind them.
Accusations and concerns
In recent months, opposition representatives have stepped up their criticism of the government. They argue that the authorities are acting to create a loyal electorate. In their view, mass legalization and the law on descendants (ley de nietos) pave the way for millions of people who previously had no voting rights to quickly obtain citizenship.
Particular discontent centers on the fact that these decisions were made by decree, bypassing full parliamentary debate. The opposition emphasizes that the requirements for legalization candidates are too lenient. For example, it is enough to have no criminal record, whereas in the past there were also police background checks. Furthermore, the required period of residence for applying has been increased compared to previous initiatives.
Law on Descendants
The Descendants Law, incorporated into the new version of the Memory Law, allows people whose parents or grandparents were Spaniards but lost their citizenship for political or other reasons to obtain citizenship. Estimates suggest there are millions of potential new citizens who will be able to participate in elections alongside other Spaniards.
This measure particularly affects Spaniards living abroad. Their number on the voter rolls could increase sharply. For many, this is a chance to reconnect with their historical homeland, but for politicians, it poses a serious challenge, as new citizens could shift the political balance.
Mass legalization
In parallel, there is an ongoing process to legalize hundreds of thousands of foreigners living in Spain without documents. Estimates indicate the figure could reach into the hundreds of thousands. However, not all of them will immediately gain the right to vote. To participate in municipal elections, not only legal status, but also five years of residence and an agreement between countries are required.
Special attention is given to people from Latin America, Andorra, Portugal, the Philippines, Guinea, and those of Sephardic descent. For them, the path to citizenship and voting rights can take just two years. This situation has sparked concern among the opposition, which believes that such changes could result in hundreds of thousands of new voters by the next elections.
European response
The issue of mass legalization and granting citizenship has moved beyond Spain. Opposition leaders plan to raise this topic at the European level, expressing concern that decisions are being made without considering individual circumstances, which contradicts EU principles.
Requests have already been submitted to the European Parliament regarding Spain’s compliance with its obligations to inform Schengen partners. There’s also a growing debate about whether mass regularizations meet European standards, which require a case-by-case approach. Some European politicians believe such measures could encourage illegal migration and should not become standard practice.
Further developments
While experts debate the actual extent of these changes, the opposition continues to insist on revising the new rules. For their part, authorities emphasize that most new citizens come from countries with historical ties to Spain. Nevertheless, the question of how these measures might impact future elections remains unresolved and is stirring increasing debate both domestically and abroad.
