Sahrawi citizenship bill splits Spain's Congress

Sahrawi representatives watched from the public gallery as Spain’s Congress debated a citizenship bill in Madrid on 10 September. The proposal would allow Sahrawis born under Spanish administration to obtain Spanish citizenship. Left-wing parties call it a historic act of repair, while the Partido Popular (PP) and Vox challenge the route chosen.

Sumar tabled the bill. The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) had first voted against allowing it to proceed, but later agreed its wording with its coalition partner and regular parliamentary allies.

The Socialist deputy Artemi Rallo called the debate a historic day to restore a right to people from the former Spanish province. He rejected the idea that citizenship was a favour or a way to alter the electoral register.

The PP says Sahrawis should be able to become Spanish citizens after two years of legal residence in Spain, as is possible for people from Ibero-American countries and Equatorial Guinea. Its deputy Pedro Muñoz Abrines said the current text lacked sufficient legal and political safeguards.

Vox rejects the proposal outright. Its deputy Ignacio Hoces said some of the documents foreseen could be easily forged and called for more checks before citizenship is granted.

Several smaller parties backed the measure but said it cannot settle the wider dispute over Western Sahara. Bildu called it positive and fair, while urging the government to reverse the position it adopted in 2022. ERC described citizenship as a limited remedy, arguing that Sahrawis ultimately want the right to decide their own future and live as a free people.

Podemos also plans to vote in favour, but says Spanish citizenship must not replace self-determination. Compromís said the measure arrives 50 years late, and the BNG called it a necessary but insufficient act of justice, pressing Spain to support decolonisation again.

Topics: Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com