Spain’s New Citizenship Bill Complicates Ties with Morocco
A recent legislative move in Madrid offers a direct path to Spanish nationality for certain Sahrawis, a decision that Rabat views as a sensitive shift in bilateral relations.
Spain’s lower house has approved a bill that establishes a special route to citizenship for individuals born in Western Sahara prior to 1977. The measure passed with a significant majority, though it now faces scrutiny in the Senate. While the law does not alter the territorial status of the disputed region, it creates a new category of Spanish and European Union citizens with direct familial ties to the area.
According to Al Jazeera English, the decision touches upon a sensitive fault line in the relationship between Madrid and Rabat. Morocco, which considers Western Sahara an integral part of its sovereignty, is watching the development closely. The concern is not necessarily about the legal mechanism itself, but about the broader diplomatic implications of strengthening ties between Spain and a population that Morocco views as its own.
The scope of the new citizenship pathway
The proposed legislation allows those born in the territory before September 1977 to apply for Spanish nationality without meeting standard residency requirements. First-degree descendants are also included in this provision. For eligible Sahrawis already legally residing in Spain, the required period of residence is reduced from ten years to just two. Supporters of the bill describe it as a correction of a historical injustice stemming from Spain’s former colonial administration of the territory.
Estimates suggest that between 70,000 and 110,000 individuals could potentially qualify for this status. This group includes residents of Western Sahara as well as members of the refugee population in camps near Tindouf, Algeria. By acquiring Spanish citizenship, these individuals would also gain European Union citizenship, granting them rights of free movement and residence across the bloc. This expansion of the citizen base with links to the territory is a key factor in Rabat’s analysis of the bill.
Diplomatic tensions over colonial legacy
The timing of this legislative move is particularly notable given recent shifts in Spanish foreign policy. In 2022, the Spanish government endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, citing it as the most credible basis for resolving the dispute. That decision helped repair a major diplomatic rift between the two countries, leading to renewed cooperation on migration, security, and trade. However, the new citizenship law complicates this narrative by addressing the consequences of Spain’s past rule separately from its current political support for the autonomy proposal.
While Madrid argues that supporting a political solution and addressing historical legal obligations are distinct matters, Rabat views them as interconnected. The creation of a larger community of EU citizens with personal ties to the disputed territory could influence future diplomatic dynamics. For Morocco, the risk lies in the potential for increased external involvement or scrutiny regarding the status of the territory, driven by the new legal bonds formed through citizenship.
Political divisions within the Spanish parliament
The bill has also highlighted internal political divisions in Spain. The governing Socialist Party and its allies supported the measure, viewing it as a necessary step to address the legacy of colonial rule. In contrast, the conservative People’s Party abstained, while the far-right Vox party voted against it. The debate centers not only on the legal mechanics of nationality but also on how Spain should manage its relationship with Western Sahara and its historical responsibilities.
This internal disagreement signals that the issue extends beyond technical legal adjustments. It has become a point of contention regarding Spain’s colonial past and its current geopolitical posture. As the bill moves to the Senate, the final outcome will depend on whether these partisan divides can be bridged, or if the legislation will face further delays and amendments. The next steps in the legislative process will be closely monitored by both Rabat and international observers.
