Spain's 'grandchildren law' faces legal blocks from courts, election board and parliament

Spain's "grandchildren law," intended to confer citizenship on descendants of those exiled for political or ideological reasons, is now under pressure from four separate institutions. The Supreme Court has temporarily barred voting for all beneficiaries registered in the CERA list until it delivers a final judgment, though the granted nationalities remain valid. The Central Electoral Board is meeting to determine how to apply the voting suspension and to align its records with the Foreign Ministry's consular offices.

Meanwhile, the National Court's contentious-administrative chamber is examining whether to annul the Justice Ministry's 2022 instruction that broadened eligibility, an instruction drafted by Sofía Puente, sister of Minister Óscar Puente. In the legislature, the Popular Party has filed a request for Minister Félix Bolaños to appear before the Constitutional Commission, seeking accountability for the ministry's involvement. The government has expressed disagreement with the court's precautionary measure and urged a swift resolution before the 2027 elections.