New Grandchildren Law will come into force next week, after its publication in the BOE of Spain

TheDemocratic Memory Law, known asGrandchildren Law, will come into force next week, once it is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), reported thegovernment of Spain.

The Minister of the Presidency, Relations with the Courts and Democratic Memory, Félix Bolaños, assured that the law, which will benefit thousands of Cubans, will be in the BOE next week.

"This is a rule that will serve to heal wounds and settle an outstanding debt with the victims. A giant step in terms of memory for our democracy", he added.

The announcement was made last Friday during his visit to the archaeological excavation of the remains of the Civil War in the Entrevías neighborhood of Madrid, which is part of the efforts to "know the darkest episodes of our history and not repeat them again." said the minister.

The so-called “Grandchildren Law” wasapproved on October 5 in the Senate, the last parliamentary instance of the legislative journey in Spain, after intense debates, delays and amendments.

Once in force, descendants of up to the second generation (grandchildren) of Spanish citizens will be able to apply for Spanish nationality.

Likewise, thedescendants of exiled Spanish women who lost their nationality by marrying a foreigner before 1978 They will also have the right to request nationalization.

They will also benefitadult sons and daughters of Spaniards whose nationality of origin was recognized by virtue of the right of option.

Under the Historical Memory Law approved in 2007 and which only benefited children of Spanish citizens, nearly 100,000 people obtained Spanish nationality in Cuba and another 100,000 were in the process until 2018.

It is estimated that another 100,000 children of Spaniards, who could not apply for nationality because the application deadline given at that time expired, could acquire Spanish nationality under the Law of Grandchildren, soon to come into force.

Last week it emerged that the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, issued an internal circular to his country's embassies and consulates abroad in which he called to "reinforce" the staff in diplomatic headquarters with a view toexpedite the procedures for applicants who want to benefit from the new Grandchildren Law and be ready to receive a "significant volume" of applications once it comes into effect.