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Spanish Supreme Court suspends voting rights for 163,000 citizens
The Spanish Supreme Court has suspended the voting rights of approximately 163,020 citizens who obtained nationality through the Democratic Memory Law, commonly known as the ‘Grandchildren Law’. This suspension specifically affects those registered in the Census of Absent Residents (CERA). The dispute stems from a 2022 administrative instruction that presumed exile for Spaniards who left the country between 1936 and 1955, a broader interpretation than what the Supreme Court believes was intended by Parliament.
In response, the Spanish Ombudsman, Ángel Gabilondo, has filed an urgent appeal with the Constitutional Court. The appeal argues that the right to vote is indissoluble from nationality and seeks immediate precautionary measures to restore voting rights ahead of the general elections scheduled for November 29. Gabilondo contends that the suspension causes irreparable harm to fundamental rights.
Political and legal groups, including Iustitia Europa, have also intervened. While the Ombudsman seeks to lift the suspension, Iustitia Europa has requested that the Constitutional Court maintain the Supreme Court’s precautionary measures to ensure the integrity of the electoral census. The legal battle intensifies as the election deadline approaches, with authorities warning of potential mass challenges to election results if the census status remains uncertain.
Entities
CERA · Constitutional Court of Spain · Defensor del Pueblo · Democratic Memory Law · Iustitia Europa · Ley de Memoria Democrática · Ombudsman of Spain · Spanish Supreme Court · Supreme Court of Spain · Tribunal Constitucional · Tribunal Supremo · Ángel Gabilondo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 14 SOURCES] The appeal requests urgent precautionary measures to allow voting in the November 29 elections. www.elmundo.es · valencianews.es · www.deia.eus · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.diariodejerez.es · +7 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The State Attorney and the Prosecutor's Office had previously requested the lifting of the suspension. valencianews.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · theobjective.com · www.cubaheadlines.com · www.diariodejerez.es · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Supreme Court ruled that the general interest prevails over the individual right to vote in this context. www.laregion.es
- [● 4 SOURCES] An instruction from 2022 presumed exile for Spaniards leaving between 1936 and 1955. crprensa.com · www.eldiario.es · www.hispanidad.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] The Supreme Court suspended the voting rights of 163,020 people. crprensa.com · valencianews.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.eldiario.es · www.diariodejerez.es · +4 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] The Supreme Court's decision affects people registered in the CERA census. crprensa.com · valencianews.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.diariodejerez.es · www.diariodesevilla.es · +14 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] Ombudsman Ángel Gabilondo filed an appeal for protection with the Constitutional Court. www.elmundo.es · valencianews.es · www.deia.eus · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.diariodejerez.es · +9 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] The affected individuals obtained nationality via the Democratic Memory Law. crprensa.com · valencianews.es · www.deia.eus · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.eldiario.es · +7 more