
Spain's PSOE opposes recognition of Polisario documents in nationality bid
In Spain, the lower house is currently reviewing a bill that would grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born during the Spanish colonial era. The proposal, submitted by the far-left coalition Sumar, has sparked intense debate among lawmakers, according to Spanish media reports on Thursday, June 5.
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), led by Pedro Sanchez, has demanded that applicants exclude any documents issued by the Polisario Front. Sumar had initially called for the recognition of documents signed by the Polisario and legalized by its representation in Spain.
To recall, the lower house agreed on February 25 to examine Sumar's bill, despite PSOE's opposition. Socialist MPs had previously voted against a similar proposal in 2022, submitted by Unidas Podemos lawmakers the year before.
In February 2023, the former far-left coalition revived the initiative in protest against a high-level Morocco-Spain meeting in Rabat, held without the participation of its ministers. However, the early general elections on July 23 delayed its examination. The proposal was later reignited in November 2023 by Sumar MP Tesh Sidi, who is of Sahrawi origin.
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