# Spain suspends voting rights for new nationals

7 October 2026 at 10:31

> The Supreme Court has halted voting rights for thousands nationalised under the Democratic Memory Law ahead of the November election.

The [Spanish Supreme Court](<https://spainnews.co.uk/entity/supreme-court-spain-q19746>) has suspended voting rights for thousands of citizens living abroad who gained nationality via the [Democratic Memory Law](<https://spainnews.co.uk/entity/democratic-memory-law-q109236282>). Following appeals by [Vox](<https://spainnews.co.uk/entity/vox-political-party-q15630787>) and **Iustitia Europa**, the court's decision impacts those nationalised under a 2022 instruction regarding the presumption of exile status for those who left Spain.

The State Attorney's Office has appealed the ruling, arguing there is no risk from census growth despite over 400,000 people being affected. Data shows 2.4 million applications under the 'law of grandchildren', with Iustitia Europa reporting over 408,000 new voters registered between the 2023 elections and July 2026 across the CERA census.

The suspension comes as Prime Minister [Pedro Sánchez](<https://spainnews.co.uk/entity/pedro-sanchez-q6070218>) prepares for an early general election on 29 November. While the electoral census closed on 1 August, Iustitia Europa has requested that the court ensure the suspension is strictly applied to the upcoming vote, potentially altering the electoral landscape in key regions like Madrid.


[#SpainElections](<https://spainnews.co.uk/hashtag/spainelections>) [#DemocraticMemoryLaw](<https://spainnews.co.uk/hashtag/democraticmemorylaw>) [#SupremeCourt](<https://spainnews.co.uk/hashtag/supremecourt>) [#CERA](<https://spainnews.co.uk/hashtag/cera>) [#SpanishPolitics](<https://spainnews.co.uk/hashtag/spanishpolitics>)

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