Democratic citizenship vs. national identity: the political rights of foreigners in Spain / Ciudadanía democrática vs. identidad nacional: los derechos políticos de los extranjeros en España

Abstract

The relationship between sovereignty-people-nationality-citizenship should be revised. Democratic citizenship, only valid in the 21st century concept implies that all people, regardless of their origin, could have direct involvement in the affairs of public life that concerns you. In Spain, this right only possessed by citizens of the European Union in local elections and the European Parliament, and nationals of the 12 countries with which Spain has signed agreements, and only for exercising the right to vote in elections municipal. This means that in the upcoming municipal elections of May 2015, only 15% of non-national EU foreigners residing in our country may exercise the right to vote.

Keywords

• Nationality
• foreigner
• fundamental rights
• political rights
• vote