The legal debate surrounding Spain's Grandchildren Law has extended to another group of naturalized citizens: the adult children of individuals who obtained Spanish citizenship through this legislation, including descendants of Spaniards residing in Cuba.
On Tuesday, the political party Iustitia Europa announced in an official statement that it has requested the Supreme Court to expand electoral restrictions to those who acquired nationality through Annex III of the Democratic Memory Law, often referred to as the Grandchildren Law.
This request does not imply that the Supreme Court has approved a new suspension. The court must review the application and decide whether to implement the proposed measures.
Annex III provided a pathway for adult children of individuals who previously obtained citizenship under specific conditions of this legislation to gain Spanish nationality.
According to figures cited by Iustitia Europa, by July 31, 2026, there were 189,678 registrations through this route. By the end of August, this number had climbed to 195,872, while an additional 134,405 applications were approved but pending registration.
These figures do not necessarily indicate the number of people eligible to vote on November 29, as overseas voters must be listed in the Electoral Census of Absent Residents (CERA) to cast their votes.
Proposed Measures and Alternatives
The party proposes that the votes of the affected individuals be collected but kept separate and uncounted until authorities verify each person's situation.
As reported by La Sexta, the party also suggests an alternative: identifying only the children whose parents are subject to previous restrictions and temporarily suspending their voting rights.
The distinction is crucial. The first proposal could affect all Annex III voters registered in the CERA, while the second is limited to those whose parents are impacted by previous judicial measures.
Concerns Among Cuban Nationals
The association Hazte Oír has also requested the Supreme Court to examine this group's situation and demand that electoral authorities provide the necessary data for identification.
President of Iustitia Europa, Luis María Pardo, criticized the uncertainty around the electoral census just weeks before the general elections.
"With less than a month until the elections, we still don't know for sure which census we'll use to vote. It's unacceptable and extremely serious," he stated.
For Cubans who obtained Spanish nationality through Annex III, this new request raises questions about their electoral participation.
Cuba is among the countries with the highest demand for nationalizations via the Grandchildren Law.
Implications of the Judicial Controversy
The Consulate General of Spain in Havana received over 107,000 applications in 2025, and it is estimated that over 350,000 Cubans began the process since October 2022.
However, there is no verified breakdown to determine how many Cubans are part of the 189,678 registrations under Annex III or how many might be affected by a new judicial decision.
The controversy arose from a 2022 administrative instruction that facilitated certain nationality applications by establishing criteria to recognize the status of Spaniards who left their country between 1936 and 1955 as exiles.
Organizations like Iustitia Europa contested this interpretation, arguing it could broaden the law's intended scope.
As a result of the legal dispute, the Supreme Court imposed precautionary measures on the electoral effects of certain nationalizations and upheld these restrictions on October 12.
The previous suspension potentially affects 163,020 naturalized citizens, whose files must be reviewed to determine if they meet the legal requirements.
Last weekend, the Spanish Government ordered consulates to expedite the compilation of the list of the 163,020 affected citizens, which must be submitted to the Supreme Court by Wednesday, October 28, at 3:00 p.m.
Failing to meet the deadline could result in fines of 1,000 euros against the responsible ministers, repeatable until the documentation is submitted.
As of October 21, consulates had reviewed 31,390 files and issued only 91 certificates confirming the status of exile.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares acknowledged the challenges of completing the verifications before the elections on November 29.
The new request adds another task: identifying Annex III beneficiaries and verifying if their parents are included in the previous suspension.
It is important to clarify that these measures affect voting rights, not the loss of Spanish citizenship by the naturalized individuals.
The controversy has caused concern among Cubans who fear implications for their passports and nationalities.
On October 13, immigration law expert Estela Marina Pérez Cabrera explained the worries of many Cubans about the litigation.
"What people are concerned about is the possibility of nationality being annulled," said the President of the Association of Descendants of Spaniards Worldwide (ADEM).
However, suspending the right to vote in these elections and the potential annulment of nationality are different legal issues.
The known precautionary measures pertain to electoral participation and do not order a general withdrawal of Spanish nationalities or passports.
For now, Cubans naturalized under Annex III must stay informed about the Supreme Court's decision, which will determine if the new request affects their right to vote in the elections on November 29.
FAQs about the Grandchildren Law and its Impact on Voting Rights
What is Annex III of the Democratic Memory Law?
Annex III is a provision in the Democratic Memory Law that allowed adult children of those who had acquired Spanish citizenship through specific circumstances to also obtain nationality.
How many people have registered for citizenship through Annex III?
As of July 31, 2026, 189,678 people had registered via Annex III, with this number increasing to 195,872 by the end of August. An additional 134,405 applications were approved but awaiting registration.
What are the potential consequences for Cubans with Spanish nationality?
Cubans who obtained Spanish nationality through Annex III may face uncertainty regarding their voting rights in upcoming elections, but these legal issues do not affect their citizenship status.