The contested administrative division of the National Court agreed to process the appeal submitted by the individual from Teruel Existe. On October 28, a request was made for a precautionary suspension of the Ministry of Regional Policy order, outlining the criteria necessary for establishing the headquarters of Spain’s future Space Agency. The move aimed to safeguard the possibility that Teruel could host this state public institution while legal proceedings unfolded.
In a statement released by a group of voters, Teruel Existe criticized what they see as noncompliance with the law. They argued that the science law and other applicable regulations were not being followed and that due to the criteria on the ground, most candidate communities, including Teruel, are effectively excluded from hosting the public body. Official concerns centered on the procedural fairness of the selection process and the alignment of criteria with regional realities.
The National Court sent the notice to the State Attorney General. Within ten days, Teruel Existe indicated that they would respond to the injunctive measures requested in the appeal, while a shorter deadline of five days applied if a substitute source was chosen for the challenge. The court’s communication reflected the careful balance between timely judicial action and continued examination of the merits of the consignment.
This judicial statement, dated December 2, arrived three days before the Cabinet announced Seville as the chosen headquarters for the Space Agency. Teruel Existe welcomed the court’s notification, stressing that the request for injunctive relief complied with all formal requirements and could proceed toward a final decision.
At the same time, Teruel Existe announced plans to pursue the matter through all legal channels. The Cabinet’s decision to designate Seville as the Space Agency headquarters could be challenged on grounds related to governance and the selection criteria.
Teruel Existe described the Seville option as politically and technically misaligned with regional realities. They argued that Article 138 of the Constitution and the Law of Science take population trends into account when evaluating decentralization measures for national institutions. The group contended that depopulation considerations are central to any reasonable assessment of where to locate a major public agency.
In their view, the argument presented in the Official State Gazette about Seville’s candidacy was a misrepresentation of its impact on Spain’s depopulation dynamics. Seville, a large metropolitan area with a growing population, contrasts with Teruel, a city facing long-standing demographic challenges. The Seville metropolitan area currently dwarfs Teruel in population, underscoring the debate about how geography and population density should influence national planning.
Teruel Existe highlighted that Seville is a major urban center with a high population density, while Teruel remains one of the less populated regions in Europe. They noted that the province of Teruel has experienced significant population decline over the decades, and this trend continues as demographics shift across the country. These observations were presented to emphasize the importance of regional cohesion and balanced development policies across Spain.
The group pointed out additional concerns about population trends across more than 20 provinces that have faced depopulation. They argued that electing Seville as the headquarters would set a precedent that neglects smaller communities facing similar demographic and geographic challenges. The density figures cited for Seville and Teruel were used to illustrate the disparity between metropolitan growth and rural decline. Seville’s density stands high while Teruel remains markedly sparse, reinforcing the call for policies that promote regional equity.
In conclusion, Teruel Existe maintained that the debates around the headquarters location should be guided by a commitment to regional cohesion and honest assessments of demographic realities. They urged decision-makers to consider the long-term consequences of concentrating national institutions in already dense urban centers, arguing that a more balanced approach would better serve Spain as a whole. The group affirmed its willingness to continue pursuing legitimate avenues within the judicial and administrative systems to ensure a fair and transparent process.
The broader conversation around the Space Agency’s headquarters underscores a persistent tension between national ambition and local needs. As the process moves forward, stakeholders in Teruel and other regions will watch closely how legal standards, constitutional principles, and demographic data shape this milestone in the country’s scientific and administrative landscape. The outcome will likely influence future strategies for decentralization, regional development, and the distribution of high-profile public institutions across Spain.