Spain election ban halts public opening ceremonies

Public services in Spain can start running from Tuesday, but officials cannot hold ceremonies to open them. The ban begins when the call for the 29 November general election appears in the official gazette. For the next 54 days, public authorities must remain neutral rather than use public money to promote their record.

No ceremonies, no claims of success

Spain’s electoral law bars opening ceremonies for public works, services and planned projects during the election period. It also stops authorities from organising or funding events that draw attention to their achievements. Publicly funded leaflets, emails, text messages and adverts fall under the ban if they make such claims or resemble a party’s campaign material, according to the Central Electoral Commission.

The rules have carried penalties before. During the 2023 election campaign, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was fined €2,200 for making election-related remarks in official premises in Brussels. The person responsible for booking Vox adverts bearing the slogan “Sánchez destruye España” before the official campaign began was fined €1,800.

What can still go ahead

Authorities can continue work needed to protect the public interest or keep services running. They can also tell people when and how to vote, including the requirements for postal voting. None of those messages can turn into electioneering or publicity for an authority’s achievements.

Regular events such as fairs, congresses, festivals and local celebrations can still have official openings. But officials cannot use those occasions to boast about their record or influence how people vote.

Topics: Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com