South Americans to be able to vote in Spain

South Americans living in Spain will be allowed to vote in local elections within the next two years. Madrid’s decision applies initially to people from Colombia and Peru. Immigrants must be over 18, and have lived in Spain for at least five years.

There are more than a quarter of a million Colombians living in Spain, and around 130,000 Peruvians. The decision applies to them first, because Spaniards living in their countries are allowed to vote in similar elections. Ecuadoreans make up the biggest South American community in Spain, but their right to vote depends on a reciprocal deal under negotiation for Spaniards living there.

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