Spain’s Congress has approved a controversial amnesty for Catalan separatists, clearing the final hurdle by overturning a veto from the upper house. This move is expected to pave the way for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to start his second term.
The amnesty bill, which passed by a narrow margin of 177-172 votes, will become law once it is published in the official gazette, possibly as early as Friday.
The new law will allow courts up to two months to implement the amnesty, which will erase the legal records of hundreds of officials and activists involved in Catalonia’s push for independence since 2011. This includes Carles Puigdemont, the exiled pro-independence leader who fled to Belgium following the failed independence bid in 2017.
The bill has sparked significant protests over the past few months. Many judges and members of the conservative opposition are outraged and plan to challenge the law in court. According to a survey by El Mundo newspaper in March, 62% of people across Spain opposed the amnesty. However, in Catalonia, 48% of voters supported it.
Sanchez’s Political Strategy
Prime Minister Sanchez proposed the amnesty last year in exchange for parliamentary support from two Catalan separatist parties, Junts and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya. This support was crucial for him to remain in power after an inconclusive election.
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Sanchez believes the amnesty will help reconcile with Catalonia, which has been in turmoil since its illegal referendum and unilateral declaration of independence in 2017, the most significant political crisis in Spain in over 30 years.
During a heated parliamentary debate, Junts’ lawmaker Miriam Nogueras described the day as historic, emphasizing that this move is seen as a victory in the long-standing conflict between Catalan and Spanish nations.
Impact on Catalan Politics
Earlier this month, Sanchez’s Socialist Party won Catalonia’s regional election, weakening the separatists’ long-held parliamentary majority. The Socialists hope that the amnesty will solidify their alliance with smaller parties, which is essential for passing legislation in the national parliament.
The most notable beneficiary of the amnesty will be Carles Puigdemont. With the Spanish arrest warrant against him likely to be lifted, Puigdemont has announced his intention to return to Spain.
He was the second most popular candidate in Catalonia’s recent election and plans to come back when parliament meets to elect the new Catalan president. However, no date has been set yet, as no party has won an outright majority.
As the law comes into effect, Spain will be watching closely to see how the courts handle the amnesty and what impact it will have on the political landscape in both Catalonia and the rest of the nation. The coming months will be crucial for the reconciliation process and the future of Spain’s unity.
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