A scandal has erupted in León that could impact the population registration system in small Spanish villages. A court decision in a case of fraudulent residency registration in the municipality of Valdelugueros has sent a signal to the entire country: manipulations with residency registration can not only distort statistics but also influence election results. In the context of an aging and declining population, such actions take on particular significance.
The legal proceedings began after a sharp increase in the number of registered residents was discovered in two houses belonging to the mayor and his father. These houses were found to have 21 people officially registered, raising suspicions among local opposition members. According to ElPais, the judge noted that while the village lists 501 registered residents, only 178 medical cards have been issued, suggesting widespread fraudulent registrations.
Manipulating residency registration
During the hearing, it became clear that some of the newly listed residents do not actually live in the village. For example, one registered resident is a Civil Guard employee working in Vitoria, located hundreds of kilometers from Valdelugueros. The judge emphasized that registration at a place of residence should reflect actual living conditions, and not serve as a formality for obtaining benefits.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, representing the interests of local opposition councilors, described the mayor’s actions as ‘playing with the rules,’ warning that it could seriously undermine the legitimacy of the elections. The court ordered the municipality to review all disputed registrations and begin the process of removing those who do not reside in the village on a permanent basis from the voter list.
Impact on the elections
The court ruling highlights that artificially inflating the number of residents can affect the distribution of votes and alter the political balance in small municipalities. In Valdelugueros, where most of the population is elderly, such manipulations are especially noticeable. The National Institute of Statistics had already recorded an unexplained rise in the local population ahead of the 2023 elections, a fact now confirmed by the court decision.
During the proceedings, it emerged that some of those registered openly admitted that they only registered to obtain hunting licenses. This further confirms that fake registrations are used not only to influence elections, but also to gain other benefits. The court noted the municipality’s lack of oversight over the accuracy of the residents’ register.
Response and consequences
The mayor of Valdelugueros, who previously chaired the provincial administration, declined to comment on the situation for ElPais. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs’ lawyer reported that the number of people registered at the mayor’s residence changed even during the court proceedings, indicating attempts to cover up evidence of manipulation.
The court did not grant the right to automatically remove all disputed residents from the registry in order to avoid violating their rights, but obliged the municipality to begin individual inspections. The decision specifically noted that the administration was required to verify the accuracy of residency information, especially when there were clear signs of falsification.
Context and similar cases
Cases of registration manipulation are not uncommon in Spain, especially in small towns where every vote can be crucial. A recent conflict in Valencia comes to mind, where authorities and the opposition clashed over the legality of street campaigns and accused each other of violations, a topic explored in detail in the article on fines for the Compromís street campaign. Such stories highlight the acute importance of transparency and integrity in municipal politics.
In recent years, several regions across the country have seen cases where local authorities attempted to inflate the population count to secure additional subsidies or influence elections. Such actions undermine trust in institutions and call for stricter oversight from government bodies. Amid declining birth rates and an aging population, the issue of fake residency registrations is becoming increasingly relevant for Spain.
