EUROCITIZENS WELCOMES THE SPAIN/UK TREATY ON POLITICAL RIGHTS

Photo: UK Embassy Madrid

21/01/19 This morning the Spanish and British governments signed a bilateral treaty which will guarantee after Brexit the political rights in local elections of Spaniards in the UK and Britons in Spain. EuroCitizens would like to thank the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores and the British Embassy in Madrid for all their hard work in negotiating this agreement  in such a short time. It will preserve at least some of the political rights of Britons in Spain and, as well as voting, will allow for communities with large British populations to elect councillors to represent them.

We hope that this level of cooperation can be replicated in other bilateral treaties, to safeguard our rights and those of Spaniards in the UK even in the unfortunate event of a no-deal Brexit. This deal should also serve as an example to other EU-27 countries to maintain political rights in local elections for both groups of citizens affected. Finally, we hope that this agreement will encourage MPs at Westminster to support the private members' bill currently going through the Commons, which will restore voting rights in general elections for Britons who have lived outside the UK for more than fifteen years.

To make sure that you can stand or vote in the Spanish municipal elections this May, go along to your Town Hall and check that you are on the electoral roll. The deadline is Tuesday 30 January. Don't miss it!

Information about the censo electoral :  http://www.ine.es/ss/Satellite?c=Page&p=1254735788988&pagename=CensoElectoral%2FINELayout&cid=1254735788988&L=1

Also see information on the Embassy website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-spain#voting