The granting of nationality to Sahrawis born under Spanish administration and their descendants, which has just been approved by the Lower House with 168 votes in favor, 145 abstentions, and 31 votes against, comes after two years of parliamentary setbacks, at a time of maximum political tension following the migratory avalanche over Ceuta and when most parliamentary groups harbor great suspicions towards the Moroccan regime. Thus, the debate on the initiative, which will now continue its processing in the Senate, has become a carousel of accusations against the “Moroccan dictatorship” and sharp reproaches to Pedro Sánchez for having unilaterally changed Spain’s historical position on the Sahara by yielding to the sovereignty aspirations of Rabat.
Read more The Ceuta crisis and the death of do-goodism: “It is the religion of idiots”
“Historical injustice,” “Free Sahara,” “Spanish responsibility” are expressions that have been repeated by representatives of all parliamentary groups, who have not hesitated to demand that the President of the Government “reverse” his March 2022 decision when he “clandestinely and unilaterally” yielded to Rabat’s demands. In this regard, practically the entire Chamber, except for the socialists, has considered the rule that will now benefit the Sahrawis, who saw their Spanish nationality taken away in 1977, insufficient to compensate them for the abandonment they have suffered from Spain since then.
During the session, criticism of the Government and specifically the president has been constant. ERC has accused the socialists of “betraying” the Sahrawis even though today they will vote in favor of granting them nationality. Esquerra even believes that, with today’s decision, the PSOE will try to close the Sahrawi cause, which “will be forgotten.”
The Popular Party has also emphasized the “submission” of the President of the Government to Rabat and has openly accused him of using foreign policy according to his personal interests. “Something smells bad here, very bad,” said their deputy, Muñoz Abrines.
The PNV, EH Bildu, and BNG have openly urged Sánchez to backtrack and return to the historical position defended by Spain regarding the Sahara. The Basque nationalists, through Mikel Legarda, have insisted that the step taken by Sánchez in March 2022 was a “radical, unilateral, and incomprehensible turn.” A decision made against the Congress and without explanations to the public.
The representative of Junts has wondered if Sánchez’s “submission” to the Moroccan dictatorship is due to fear that Rabat has information affecting him, captured through Pegasus. Junts has accused the President of the Government of incoherence and tactical maneuvering and reproached him for now wanting “a bit of oxygen after having left the Sahrawis in Morocco’s hands.”
Enrique Santiago (Sumar) has avoided launching open and direct reproaches at the socialists and before giving the floor to the Sahrawi deputy, Tesh Sidi, urged parliamentary groups to approve the proposed naturalization “unanimously.” Sidi, who has tirelessly fought to advance the initiative, insisted that with the decision approved today “the ID is returned to those who had it and the State took it away.”
With this decision, she said, “a historical injustice is repaired.” “The Sahrawi people need facts,” she emphasized, citing all those who filled the guests’ gallery of the Congress and the more than a hundred who followed the session from the Ernest Lluch room of the Chamber. Sidi insisted, addressing the PP bench, that in this case “abstention is not acceptable,” because with it “Morocco is given the reason.”
Vox asked to help the people of the Sahara “without submission to Morocco or Algeria.” “We cannot change history with the BOE,” assured their deputy, who emphasized that according to the law being approved “there are not enough guarantees or controls” regarding the documents that must be provided to access nationality. “Much more must be demanded,” the Vox representative stressed.
The PSOE tried to evade the criticisms launched at it. Its representative, Artemi Rallo, spoke of a “historic day” and “restoration of rights,” of a “fraternal bond” between Spaniards and Sahrawis and accused the PP of “trying to confuse” and “instrumentalize the Sahrawis.” In his speech, there was not a single mention of the change of position decided by Pedro Sánchez in 2022. Nor of the socialists’ oscillations, who initially voted against admitting the rule for processing. On the contrary, Rallo insisted that the law would not be possible “without the brave commitment of a progressive Government.”
Read more New normal… against the CNI
