Supreme Court provisionally suspends 'grandchildren law' and conditions electoral registry entries

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the application of the 'grandchildren law,' suspending new entries in the Electoral Register of Absent Residents (CERA) until compliance with the requirements for descent and exile is proven.

## Electoral Registry Under Scrutiny

The possibility of thousands of descendants of exiled Spaniards voting in upcoming general elections has been put on hold. The **Supreme Court** has decided to provisionally halt entries into the **Electoral Register of Absent Residents (CERA)** that are being processed or have been finalized under the so-called 'grandchildren law.' This measure, sought by **Justice Europe** and **Vox**, focuses on verifying the requirements these newly naturalized citizens must meet to be included in the registry.

## Proving Links and Exile

The key to the suspension lies in proving that applicants are genuinely descendants of Spaniards who suffered exile. The high court demands assurance that consular offices verify not only the kinship but also that the Spanish ancestor was a victim of exile for ideological, political, sensual orientation, or similar reasons. This verification, which was contemplated in the **Memory Law**, was not explicitly detailed in the subsequent circular issued by the **Ministry of Justice**. The resolution places this verification task in the hands of consular registry officials.

## Political and Judicial Reactions

The Supreme Court's decision has generated mixed reactions in the political sphere. While groups like **Vox** have celebrated the measure as a victory against 'electoral registry tampering,' the **Government** has expressed its disagreement. The spokesperson, **Elma Saiz**, has stated that the judicial decision runs counter to the view of the Executive branch and the **Central Electoral Board**. The **Prosecutor's Office** and the **Legal Counsel of the State**, for their part, opposed the suspension during hearings.