César Martínez (Expert on immigrant voting in the USA): "Anyone who wants to blame immigrants for the problems of a country, an autonomous region or a city runs the risk of defeat".

The electoral expert Cesar Martinez, a specialist in Latino vote and adviser to the U.S. Republican Party in the campaigns of 2000, 2004 and 2008, warned Saturday that the immigrant vote will be "decisive" in many municipalities in the upcoming municipal elections to be held on May 22, 2011. For the first time, they will be able to vote.

In statements to Europa Press, Martinez has emphasized that the new voter does not have the "strong influences" that traditionally existed and that led him to have a "certain preconception". "In Spain there is an electorate very identified with each party, either by family tradition, because people are inclined by their ideology, etc., but the new voter can see the parties more independently," he warned. This is the new Spanish, or the son of immigrants who, although born in Spain, live very closely the experience of immigrants. For many it will be the first time they vote and, like everything new, they may be 'consumers' who are looking at the options before deciding. What is clear is that the immigrant vote will be decisive in many municipalities in the country," he added.

According to Martínez, a member of Mas Consulting, a Madrid-based firm, parties that "make a good effort to communicate with the immigrant vote since the beginning of 2011 will certainly reap rewards"; however, those who do not "will not only lose votes but run the risk of losing (a whole) generation".