Opposition in Spain vows to bolt country shut and strip passports after serious crime

Spanish opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijoo vowed to make it difficult for those who break the law to stay in Spain, and potentially strip them of their nationality. Speaking at a rally in Badalona, Feijoo argued that a country with self-respect should demand a lot from its citizens and those who move there. He said that citizenship brings rights and responsibilities, and if Spain were to govern, the passport would be made harder to obtain and easier to lose.

Feijoo wants to open Spain's doors to those who come for hard work and follow the law, while keeping out those who arrive to break the rules. He specifically targeted irregular arrivals and naturalized citizens who later commit serious crimes, not law-abiding residents. Feijoo called for stricter residency rules, a tougher approach to arraigo, and border protection improvements, using Ceuta as an example.

He also suggested reviewing the process for granting, maintaining, and withdrawing Spanish nationality, including stripping it from those convicted of serious crimes. If his party returns to power in the 2027 general election, Feijoo promised a "total cleaning" of the system.