If you're a foreigner living in Spain, having the vote is an issue. However, some of the news is good news. You can vote in local elections and in European elections if you are from a member state of the European Union, plus the following countries:
Bolivia, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom - yes, the United Kingdom, the only country ever to leave the European Union.
National Elections
But, what about voting in regional and national elections?
The distinguished journalist and author Giles Tremlett, a long-standing resident of Madrid, feels unfairly disenfranchised. He wrote:“Why not allow Britons living in [other parts of] Europe to vote in the national elections of their host country? Unfortunately neither the UK nor any other country in Europe seems to want that. As a result, I live in Madrid and pay taxes to the Spanish exchequer but have no say in how my tax money is spent".
I agree wholeheartedly with Tremlett. I feel dismayed that I cannot vote in regional and national ballots. If it's OK to vote in local and European polls, why not the other two categories?
Above is an advertisement published by Fuengirola Council advising us of our rights [courtesy of SUR in English].
The same rights apply in other municipalities.
Interesting links:
Why can’t we foreigners vote in Spain? - Eye on Spain
HOW TO ….. become a SPANISH RESIDENT? - New rules
© Paul Whitelock
Pictures:
SUR in English, Wikipedia
Thanks:
Eye on Spain, Paul Whitelock
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