The Ombudsman, Ángel Gabilondo expresses his concern about the suspension of suffrage for citizens naturalized through the grandchildren's law who reside abroad.
The head of the institution assured this Wednesday that he respects the decision of the Constitutional Court (TC) to reject his appeal for protection against the measure, although he warned that this "may not allow Spanish citizens to exercise their fundamental right to vote" in the general elections on November 29.
The Constitutional Court's resolution maintains the suspension agreed by the Supreme Court, against which Gabilondo had requested protection, and could prevent those affected from participating in the upcoming elections.
Gabilondo warns of the consequences of the suspension
The Ombudsman insisted on the repercussions that the measure may have for those affected, by limiting their participation in the next election. His concern focuses on the fact that citizens with Spanish nationality encounter impediments to exercising this fundamental right.
The so-called 'grandchildren's law' allowed certain descendants of Spaniards to access Spanish nationality. However, the suspension of suffrage affects people covered by this regulation who reside abroad, which calls into question their participation in the general elections.
Given this situation, the Ombudsman went to the court of guarantees to request protection against the Supreme Court's decision, but the Constitutional Court has rejected his petition, so the path proposed to question the suspension has not prospered.
Despite respecting the resolution, Gabilondo maintains his reservations about the impact of the measure on the rights of those affected. The debate thus focuses on the consequences of the suspension for naturalized Spaniards under this regulation and their possibility of participating in the November 29 elections.