Key Takeaways:
- 67.4% of Spanish voters oppose the government's plan to grant residency to illegal migrants via Royal decree.
- Opposition is strongest among young voters (89.3% against).
- The plan could affect 500,000 to 850,000 people and is seen as a potential 'pull factor' for more migration.
- The European Commission has expressed concern, fearing it could undermine EU-wide efforts to deter illegal immigration.
- The issue is set to become a central theme in the upcoming general election campaign.
Overwhelming Public Opposition to Amnesty Plan
A new survey reveals deep public discontent with the Spanish government's controversial plan. The leftist coalition, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, announced it would use a Royal decree to bypass parliament and grant residence permits to undocumented migrants. The only requirements are a clean criminal record and proof of residence in Spain for at least five months.
Despite the government's initial estimate of half a million beneficiaries, other projections suggest the number could soar to 850,000. This scale has triggered a significant backlash. According to a SocioMétrica poll for El Español, a staggering 67.4% of Spanish voters are opposed to the amnesty.
Intriguingly, the resistance is most pronounced among the youth. An overwhelming 89.3% of voters aged 17 to 35 reject the scheme. In stark contrast, support sits at just 29.4%, concentrated almost exclusively among left-wing party voters.
Political Fallout and EU Worries
The political landscape is heating up over the issue. While far-left figures have celebrated the plan, the governing Socialist party recently suffered significant defeats in key regional elections in Aragón. Meanwhile, the anti-mass migration Vox party doubled its support in the same region.
The center-right People's Party (PP) has vowed to make immigration a central campaign issue. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has pledged to introduce legislation restricting migrants' access to Spanish citizenship, directly opposing Sánchez's approach.
"I will not be the one to hand out Spanish nationality or grant permits to everyone. I will not do it," Feijóo stated, criticizing the plan as "doubly immoral" opportunism.
The controversy has also reached Brussels. The European Commission has reportedly expressed serious concern to the Spanish government. Unnamed EU officials fear the mass regularization could act as a magnet, undermining bloc-wide efforts to deter illegal immigration and manage the Schengen Area's external borders.
Broader Implications for Schengen and Migration Policy
The Spanish case highlights a growing tension within the EU between national political decisions and collective border management. Key concerns for travelers and EU citizens include:
- Schengen Integrity: There are fears that residency obtained in Spain could facilitate movement elsewhere in the Schengen Zone, potentially bypassing other nations' stricter rules.
- Policy Divergence: The plan puts Spain at odds with the broader EU trend towards stricter asylum and return policies.
- Electoral Catalyst: The strong public opposition indicates that migration policy will be a decisive factor in shaping Spain's—and potentially Europe's—political future.
With a general election on the horizon, the battle over this amnesty is more than a domestic dispute; it's a test case for the political limits of migration policy within the European Union.