Bolaños urges Supreme Court to restore voting rights for naturalised grandchildren law
Justice Minister Félix Bolaños has asked the Supreme Court to lift its suspension of voting rights for foreigners naturalised under the Ley de Nietos, warning that elections could be held with an altered voter register.
In a recent appearance at a Civil War dialogue in Sevilla, Justice Minister Félix Bolaños pressed the Supreme Court to reverse its precautionary order that suspends voting rights for foreigners who were naturalised under the 2022 Ley de Nietos. He warned that proceeding with elections while the suspension remains would result in an "altered census" and could invalidate the vote later. Bolaños highlighted that the law has been in effect for four years without incident, noting that some naturalised citizens have already participated in the 2023 general and regional elections.
He claimed that the challenge stems from an unfounded rumor of a massive electoral fraud promoted by ultraright organisations, which led them to seek judicial intervention. According to the minister, only about ten percent of those naturalised actually vote, and their impact in the last election was limited to a single seat. Finally, he dismissed the possibility of the government using the Permanent Deputation of the Congress to unblock the law, as that would constitute a legal irregularity.
Why it matters
The dispute could affect the participation of thousands of naturalised citizens in upcoming Spanish elections.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report the same factual request to the Supreme Court, but centrist coverage frames it as a prosecutor's procedural petition, while right-leaning coverage frames it as the justice minister’s urgent appeal warning of electoral distortion.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents the story as the prosecutor asking the Supreme Court to lift the voting-rights suspension and let affected naturalised citizens defend their interests.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage portrays the justice minister urging the court to reverse the suspension, warning that it could create an “altered census” and blaming unfounded ultraright rumors.
The right emphasises
- Bolaños pressed the Supreme Court to reverse the precautionary order
- warned that proceeding with elections could result in an "altered census" and invalidate the vote
- claimed the challenge stems from an unfounded rumor of massive electoral fraud promoted by ultraright organisations
In this story
