Spain election lists out Wednesday, but not yet final

Spain’s candidate lists for the 29 November election go public on Wednesday, but they still face checks that could rule some out. The Official State Gazette will publish the lists for the Congress of Deputies and the Senate as parties, coalitions and voter groups submitted them by Monday’s midnight deadline. Electoral boards will then check for errors, the required balance of women and men, and supporting signatures.

The boards have two days to flag problems. Groups then have 48 hours from notification to put them right. The boards must confirm the candidacies by 2 November, with the final lists due in the gazette the following day.

A new order for women and men

For the first time in a Spanish general election, Congress lists must alternate women and men. The rule covers the full list, including substitutes, and also applies to Senate candidates when they stand as a list.

The rule in 2023 was different: each sex had to account for at least 40% and no more than 60% of candidates, including within each block of five places.

Missing signatures can end a bid

Parties and coalitions that won no seats in either chamber at the previous general election need signatures from at least 0.1% of registered voters in every constituency where they stand. Voter groups need support from at least 1%.

In 2023, 66 candidacies from groups outside parliament failed the checks. Missing signatures were the main reason, alongside errors and other unmet requirements. This election also brings a change for Formentera: following a constitutional amendment, the island will elect its own senator.

Topics: Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com