Spanish expatriate group urges Ombudsman to challenge court limits on overseas voting

Violeta Alonso, who helped pass the law granting citizenship to grandchildren abroad, pressed the Ombudsman Ángel Gabilondo to intervene in the constitutional court to protect the franchise of naturalised Spaniards residing overseas. In an urgent request, the Council General of Spanish Citizens Abroad asked for an amparo appeal against two Supreme Court decisions that maintain a precautionary suspension of voting eligibility for specific entries in the CERA.

The council claims the measures violate constitutional guarantees of equality, political participation and judicial effectiveness, and could cause irreversible harm if the election proceeds without them. It also criticised the tight five-day window for affected individuals to submit objections, calling it discriminatory based on residence. Gabilondo filed the appeal on Friday night, reiterating that Spanish citizenship entails the right to vote regardless of location.