Conde-Pumpido Prepares Strategic Move in Constitutional Court to Help Sánchez Win Next Elections with Grandchildren Law

The possibility has emerged that the Constitutional Court, presided over by **Cándido Conde-Pumpido**, may intervene to reverse the precautionary suspension of the Grandchildren Law, a measure that could influence election outcomes.

The issue of foreign voting and its impact on elections has always been controversial. Now, the **Grandchildren Law** (Ley de Nietos), which facilitates Spanish nationality for descendants of Spaniards, is at the center of a potential judicial dispute. The **Supreme Court** has temporarily suspended the effects of this law regarding the Register of Absent Resident Spaniards (CERA), arguing the need to preserve electoral transparency amidst an "extraordinary increase" in applicants. Concerns remain that this rise could affect the objectivity and outcome of the elections.

## Supreme Court Suspension

The Chamber of Contentious-Administrative matters of the **Supreme Court** decided last week to provisionally halt the application of the **Grandchildren Law** concerning the CERA. This decision trinc the acceptance of precautionary measures requested by **Iustitia Europa** and **Vox**. The court ruled that the magnitude of the registry increase, and consequently the number of eligible voters, could seriously compromise the right to suffrage and the desired electoral outcome for already registered citizens. There was discussion of a "founded, real, and serious danger" to affecting the transparency of the electoral process, causing irreversible damage. The final ruling on this matter is expected after the upcoming Christmas holidays.

## Two Paths for the Constitutional Court

Legal sources suggest that the president of the **Constitutional Court**, **Cándido Conde-Pumpido**, may be preparing a strategy to reverse this suspension. Two main avenues are being discussed.
The first, longer path, would involve the **Constitutional Court** upholding an appeal filed by the **Attorney General's Office** or the **Prosecutor** on behalf of the Government. This appeal would be lodged once the Supreme Court issues its ruling, requesting that, as a precautionary measure, the **Grandchildren Law** remain in force until the Constitutional Court reaches a definitive resolution. The majority of the court is expected to support this measure.

The second path would be faster. The Executive branch could file an appeal before the **Constitutional Court** against the Supreme Court's decision to provisionally suspend the law. In this case, they would ask the Constitutional Court to overturn the precautionary measure adopted by the Supreme Court, allowing the **Grandchildren Law** to regain its validity before the next general elections, even before the year ends.

## Impact on the Registry

The **Grandchildren Law**, passed to facilitate nationality for descendants of Spaniards, has caused a notable increase in applicants to the CERA. This surge is what has alerted the **Supreme Court**. The possibility that the **Constitutional Court** reverses the precautionary suspension opens the door for this increase in voters to take effect in the upcoming elections—a situation that, according to some, could be used to "inflate the electoral rolls." The perception among some is that the **Constitutional Court** could act as an instrument to favor the Government in the electoral context.