Voting right of foreigners in local elections, with special reference to Spain

Abstract

Voting right of immigrants at local elections in their State of residence is a mechanism that facilitates their integration. In Spain, as a  member State of the European Union, there are different applicable regimes: 1) a general regime for non Union citizens, in which case the voting right is formally recognized but, with the exception of Norway, is not applied for lack of political will; 2) a special regime, according to which Union citizens have the right to vote and to stand as candidates at local elections in the Member State of residence, under the same conditions as nationals of the host member State.