{
  "id": 6693989,
  "title": "Spanish lawmakers back citizenship for Saharawis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/spanish-lawmakers-back-citizenship-for-saharawis",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T03:09:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/spanish-lawmakers-back-citizenship-for-saharawis/a-79222841?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Spanish parliament recently voted to grant citizenship to Saharawi individuals born during Spain's administration of Western Sahara, a territory now controlled by Morocco. This legislative decision could strain Madrid's relations with Rabat, particularly after a recent crisis at the Ceuta border. The bill would confer Spanish nationality on those born before September 29, 1977, and enable their descendants to acquire citizenship through naturalization. The eligible population is estimated to be between 70,000 and over 100,000. The measure was supported by Spain's ruling Socialist Party and its coalition partner, Sumar, but opposed by the conservative People's Party and the far-right Vox. The legislation must still pass the Senate to become law. Spain previously controlled Western Sahara until 1976, while Morocco currently occupies almost the entire territory, and the Polisario Front, a resistance group, seeks independence. The region is on the UN's list of non-self-governing territories. The vote comes amid heightened tensions between Spain and Morocco following a migrant influx into Ceuta in July, resulting in several deaths, mostly by drowning. Many migrants, including unaccompanied minors, remain in dire conditions, causing a significant rift among EU member states.",
  "summary": "Spanish lawmakers approved a bill that could give citizenship to tens of thousands of Sahrawis and their descendants, amid tense ties with Morocco. The legislation must now pass the senate.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "This move likely strains Spain's relations with Morocco, a key development given their recent tensions over migration, and may reshape ties between Spain and a significant population with historical connections to the country.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Spain’s Parliament backs citizenship for Western Saharans born before 1977",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/spains-parliament-backs-citizenship-for-western-saharans-born-before",
        "published": "2026-09-10T21:47:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Spanish lawmakers back citizenship for Saharawis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/spanish-lawmakers-back-citizenship-for-saharawis-6697142",
        "published": "2026-09-11T03:09:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euro Weekly News",
        "title": "Spain approves citizenship route for Sahrawis born under Spanish rule",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/spain-approves-citizenship-route-for-sahrawis-born-under-spanish-rule",
        "published": "2026-09-11T07:16:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}