OddsFrontSpanish parliament advances citizenship law for Western Saharans
The measure would create a nationality route for people born during Spanish rule and their children, but Senate approval is still required.
Lower house backs a new nationality route
Spain’s lower house of parliament has approved legislation offering Spanish citizenship to Western Saharans born while the disputed territory was under Spanish administration and to their children. The bill passed on September 10 by 168 votes to 31. It must still clear the Senate before becoming law, so no application process has begun and eligibility remains contingent on final enactment.
The proposal covers Sahrawis born before September 29, 1977, the date lawmakers chose to represent the effective completion of Spain’s withdrawal. Applicants would not need to live in Spain. They could establish eligibility through Spanish identity records, the United Nations-verified census prepared for a still-unheld self-determination referendum, birth certificates or specified historical records such as school, pension, driving and medical documents.
Potentially tens of thousands affected
The precise number of beneficiaries is uncertain. Euronews reports an estimate of roughly 80,000 eligible people, while broader calculations including descendants reach close to 200,000. If the measure completes the legislative process, eligible applicants would have three years from official publication to request nationality. The provision is designed to replace lengthy naturalisation routes that have left some Sahrawis waiting many years.
The vote crossed some party divisions. The initiative was promoted by Sumar, the junior partner in Spain’s coalition government. The opposition People’s Party and Catalan party Junts abstained, while Vox opposed the final text. Supporters framed the measure as delayed recognition of obligations created by Spain’s colonial departure; opponents and abstaining parties raised political and procedural objections.
A sensitive regional backdrop
The law could affect Madrid’s relations with Morocco, which controls most of Western Sahara and proposes autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. The Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence. Spain shifted toward Morocco’s autonomy proposal in 2022, while the European Union continues to support a negotiated, mutually acceptable settlement that provides for Sahrawi self-determination under the United Nations process.
Attention now moves to the Senate, where amendments or delay remain possible. If it passes, authorities will need detailed rules for authenticating decades-old records and processing descendants’ claims. Morocco’s official response will also matter: a forceful objection could complicate an already delicate relationship shaped by migration, trade and security cooperation, while restraint would allow the nationality question to remain primarily a Spanish legislative issue.