Spain's lower house of Parliament approved legislation on Thursday that would grant citizenship to tens of thousands of Western Saharans born before September 29, 1977. The vote passed with 168 votes in favor, 31 against, and 145 abstentions. The bill now moves to the Spanish Senate for further consideration.
The legislation allows Sahrawis born during the period of Spanish administration over the territory to acquire Spanish nationality, as well as their children through naturalization, regardless of whether they have ever resided in Spain. Estimates from Sahrawi groups suggest that between 70,000 and 120,000 individuals could benefit from this legislation, which supporters argue addresses a historical injustice stemming from colonial rule.
This vote occurs amid sensitive relations between Spain and Morocco, particularly following a migration crisis in Ceuta, where at least 70,000 migrants arrived from Morocco in July. The Spanish government has refrained from directly blaming Morocco for the migration surge, while the opposition has accused Rabat of political maneuvering.
Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara and has maintained control since Spanish rule ended in 1975. The Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, is supported by Algeria. Many Sahrawis currently reside in refugee camps in Algeria or abroad, while others remain in Western Sahara.
The initiative has sparked mixed reactions in Morocco, though no official condemnation has been issued. Ramadan Messaoud, a member of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, stated that Rabat has “no problem” with Sahrawis obtaining Spanish citizenship, noting that others have done so in recent years.
The ruling Socialist Party and its coalition partner Sumar supported the bill, while the opposition People's Party abstained and the far-right Vox party voted against it. Tesh Sidi of Sumar, the first woman of Sahrawi origin in Spain's Parliament, emphasized that the legislation aims to restore the Spanish national identity card to those Sahrawis who previously held it. The bill will return to the lower house for final approval after Senate amendments.