PSOE set to approve citizenship bill for Sahrawis amid concerns over Morocco
The PSOE will vote Thursday to grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born under Spanish rule, despite worries about Morocco’s reaction after a recent influx of migrants into Ceuta.
On Thursday, the PSOE is expected to support legislation that would confer Spanish nationality on Sahrawis born while the area was under Spanish administration. The measure, promoted by Sumar deputy Tesh Sidi, passed its committee stage in late June and received a favorable opinion from the Congress Justice Committee. Its timing is sensitive, following a recent surge of illegal migrants entering Ceuta, which has prompted Moroccan officials to link the incident to the pending law.
Socialist spokesperson Patxi López emphasized that the party acts independently of Moroccan opinion, though officials acknowledge the risk of a strong reaction. The PP abstained in committee and may also abstain in the plenary, while Vox opposed the bill. If enacted, the law would allow Sahrawis to obtain citizenship by presenting a Spanish ID or UN census proof, even without legal residence.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 16h later
How this story developed
- Sep 3 EU seeks clarification before expanding Frontex support for Ceuta
- Sep 4 EU officials discussed emergency funding for Spain in response to the Ceuta influx.
- Sep 5 The Commission said it cannot finish its review until Spain supplies further information.
- Sep 5 Thousands of migrant children remain homeless in Ceuta a month after the surge.
- Sep 6 Prosecutors announced a formal investigation into alleged Moroccan involvement in the Ceuta migrant influx.
- Sep 6 Sánchez spent about 105 minutes in Ceuta before departing for a vacation in Lanzarote.
- Sep 6 Ceuta announced reinforced security patrols and psychological support programs ahead of the new school year.
- Sep 7 Women and children were placed in a humanitarian hub at the Hípica and some were forced to live in makeshift mountain shelters near Ceuta.
- Sep 8 Alberto Núñez Feijóo says the government will release a trimmed version of the pre-invasion reports on Ceuta, omitting key details.
- Sep 8 The Council of Ministers scheduled a vote on declassification Tuesday, with the documents to be released to the public on Wednesday.
- Sep 9 Ceuta mayor‑president Juan Jesús Vivas publicly urged the EU to boost funding and security for the enclave’s border.
- Sep 9 The EU approved a financial package for Ceuta border controls and pledged additional Frontex support.
- Sep 10 Government criticized for declassifying security alerts and for claiming the warning was only a low‑level WhatsApp message.
- Sep 10 Judge María Tardón filed a request for copies of the declassified intelligence reports.
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