Spain votes to grant citizenship to Western Saharans born under Spanish administration
Legislation could strain Spain-Morocco relations amid ongoing Western Sahara dispute
Quick Look
Spanish lawmakers approved a bill granting citizenship to Western Saharans born before September 29, 1977, during Spain's administration of the region, with estimates of 70,000 to over 100,000 eligible; the move risks worsening tensions with Morocco, which claims sovereignty over Western Sahara, following recent migrant crises in Ceuta.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Spain administered Western Sahara until 1976, after which Morocco claimed sovereignty over the territory. The Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence for the region, which remains on the UN list of non-self-governing territories. Recent tensions between Spain and Morocco followed a migrant influx into Ceuta in July, where scores died attempting to reach EU territory.
Spanish lawmakers on Thursday voted to grant citizenship to Western Saharans born while Spain administered the region now largely controlled by Morocco.
The move could test Madrid's already delicate relations with Rabat, especially after the border crisis in Ceuta.
The lower house approved the bill by:
In favor: 168
Against: 31
Abstentions: 145
The legislation would grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born before September 29, 1977, and allow their descendants to obtain citizenship through naturalization.
Estimates of those eligible range from around 70,000 to more than 100,000.
The legislation must now pass the senate to become law.
Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara
Spain's ruling Socialist Party and its left-wing coalition partner Sumar supported the measure, while the conservative People's Party abstained and far-right Vox opposed it.
Sumar lawmaker Tesh Sidi, the first woman of Sahrawi origin to serve in parliament, said the legislation restores the "Spanish national identity card to those Sahrawis who once held and from whom this state took it away."
Spain controlled Western Sahara until 1976. Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence.
The region remains on the United Nations' list of non-self-governing territories.
How the Ceuta influx raised tensions
The vote comes amid renewed tensions between Madrid and Rabat following a large influx of migrants into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in July.
Scores of migrants died in their attempt to reach EU territory, most by drowning.
Although most of those who breached Ceuta's borders have returned, thousands remain, many of them unaccompanied minors living in dire conditions.
The incident caused a major rift among EU member states, most publicly between Spain's left-wing government and Italy's far-right leadership.
Edited by: Zac Crellin
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Spanish Senate will debate and likely vote on the citizenship bill in the coming weeks
Likely · Within weeks
Morocco will issue a diplomatic protest or formal response to Spain's citizenship legislation
Likely · Within weeks
Tensions between Spain and Morocco over Western Sahara will remain elevated or increase
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will the Spanish Senate approve the citizenship bill?
- How will Morocco respond to Spain's legislation granting citizenship to Western Saharans?
- What impact will this have on EU migration policy and Spain's relations with other member states?
- Will the legislation lead to increased migration pressure on Ceuta or other Spanish enclaves?
