Politics · Spain · 4 hrs ago
Spain rushes to identify 163,020 voters after Supreme Court order
Spain’s consulates are rushing to compile a list of people who gained citizenship under a law for descendants of exiles.
The government says the list covers 163,020 newly naturalised citizens whose right to vote in the 29 November election is currently suspended.
The Supreme Court ordered the government to provide the names by 28 October so it can review their cases and decide whether to restore their voting rights.
Consulates were told to send their information to Spain by 3 p.m.
on 27 October, leaving them less time than the court’s deadline.
The task is difficult because many records have no names attached, and some are not digitised and must be checked in paper registers.
A planned digital tool was never put in place, so staff are compiling the information in spreadsheets and working extra hours.
The court’s review will determine whether these citizens can vote in the November election.
Spain’s Supreme Court ordered the government to provide a list of 163,020 people naturalised under the “grandchildren law” by 28 October.
The people’s eligibility to vote in the 29 November elections is suspended while the court reviews their cases.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has directed consulates to focus on identifying them, with some able to suspend other services.
The work is difficult because officials have figures but not all the names, and some records are not digitised.
Consular sources say the deadline is exceptionally tight and question whether the lists can be completed in time.
- Who
- Spain’s Foreign Ministry and consulates must identify 163,020 people naturalised under the “grandchildren law”.
- What
- The Supreme Court ordered the government to submit their names for review. Their right to vote in the 29 November elections is suspended for now.
- When
- The court set a deadline of 28 October. Consulates were told to send their information by 15:00 Spanish time on 27 October.
- Where
- Spain and its consulates abroad.
- Why
- The court is reviewing whether to lift the suspension of these people’s voting rights after challenges to the government’s interpretation of the law.
Spanish government
Consular sources critical of the deadline
Feasibility
Spanish government
Albares says consulates are working at speed and have the staff and resources needed.
Consular sources critical of the deadline
A diplomatic source says the short deadline and time-zone differences make the task extremely difficult.
Preparation
Spanish government
The government says it is identifying people from incomplete records and has mobilised its foreign service.
Consular sources critical of the deadline
Consular sources say a planned digital tool was never implemented, leaving staff to compile lists in spreadsheets.
Deadline
Spanish government
The government is working to meet the court’s deadline.
Consular sources critical of the deadline
Consular sources question whether the lists can be completed in time.
The Ministry told consulates that a digital tool would be created to send information about the people affected.
The Supreme Court ordered the government to provide the list before 28 October.
Albares said some consulates could suspend other work to concentrate on preparing the list.
Consulates were told to send their information to the Foreign Ministry by 15:00 Spanish time.
The deadline for the government to submit the list to the court.
The affected people are due to vote in the elections, though their voting eligibility is suspended for now.
- People to identify
- 163,020
- Court deadline
- 28 October 2026
- Consulate submission deadline
- 15:00 Spanish time on 27 October
- Election date
- 29 November 2026
- Law
- Democratic Memory Law
4 sources
Albares acelera ahora por la amenaza del Supremo en la ley de nietos: exige los datos antes de las 15.00 horas de hoy
Un estudio cifra en 250.000 los electores nacionalizados con la 'ley de nietos', casi 90.000 más que las estimaciones del Gobierno
Albares dice que los consulados pueden “cerrar” para ocuparse solo de hacer el listado de 'nietos'
What people are saying
Literally, all Spain's foreign service is focused on complying with the Supreme Court's orders
the deadline they have given us is very short
each consulate was working, interpreting what it was being told
it is practically impossible to hire people on the spot on Friday to fill in spreadsheets over the weekend, 24 hours a day