The move could test Madrid's already delicate relations with Rabat, especially after the .
The lower house approved the bill by:
- In favor: 168
- Against: 31
- Abstentions: 145
The legislation would grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born before September 29, 1977, and allow their descendants to obtain citizenship through naturalization.
Estimates of those eligible range from around 70,000 to more than 100,000.
The legislation must now pass the senate to become law.
Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara
Spain's ruling Socialist Party and its left-wing coalition partner Sumar supported the measure, while the conservative People's Party abstained and far-right Vox opposed it.
Sumar lawmaker Tesh Sidi, the first woman of Sahrawi origin to serve in parliament, said the legislation restores the "Spanish national identity card to those Sahrawis who once held and from whom this state took it away. "
Spain controlled Western Sahara until 1976. Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence.
The region remains on the United Nations' list of non-self-governing territories.
How the Ceuta influx raised tensions
The vote comes amid renewed tensions between Madrid and Rabat following a into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in July.
to reach EU territory, most by drowning.
