Spain approves amnesty for Catalan separatists: Main opposition party takes action
A controversial bill granting amnesty to Catalan separatists has been passed by the Spanish Parliament. The main opposition party, the PP, has announced it will appeal to the Constitutional Court to have the amnesty law annulled on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
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Spain's biggest domestic issue in recent years, the situation in Catalonia where illegal independence referendums were held in 2014 and 2017, has seen a bill granting amnesty to separatist politicians and leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) passed by Parliament.
The bill, titled "Amnesty Law for Institutional, Political and Social Normalization in Catalonia," which has sparked debates in the country over division, democracy, the rule of law, and equality, received final approval from Parliament after nearly 5 months of heated debate in both the lower house and the Senate.
The initial bill prepared by the government was rejected in Parliament on January 30 due to objections from the Together for Catalonia (Junts) Party. After amendments were made in the Parliamentary Justice Committee to broaden its scope and legal guarantees, the bill received sufficient votes for approval in Parliament in March.
The bill, which went to the Senate as part of the legislative process, was rejected in the May 9 vote due to the majority held by the right-wing People's Party (PP) and was sent back to Parliament once again. The bill, which was passed in Parliament with 178 "yes" votes against 172 "no" votes, is expected to be published in the Official Gazette tomorrow and enter into force.
WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THE COUNTRY THANKS TO THE AMNESTY
The law is expected to grant amnesty to 372 politicians and NGO leaders, including former President of the Government of Catalonia and Junts leader Carles Puigdemont, who has been evading the Spanish judiciary for 6.5 years. Puigdemont, who fled Spain on October 30, 2017, to avoid Spanish courts and remains subject to an active arrest warrant in Spain despite being elected to the European Parliament, will be able to return to the country thanks to the amnesty.
The amnesty law, which primarily affects those convicted due to the illegal independence referendums held in Catalonia on November 9, 2014, and October 1, 2017, covers all politicians and NGO leaders who were convicted or are currently facing legal proceedings for separatist activities in Catalonia between November 1, 2011, and November 13, 2023.
While the two partners of the left-wing coalition government, the Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and Sumar, argue that the amnesty will "restore coexistence and stability in Catalonia," right-wing and far-right opposition parties have criticized the move, labeling it as "treason," "the destruction of the rule of law," "a blow to democracy," and "the elimination of the principle of equality."
The main opposition PP has announced that it will apply to the Constitutional Court to have the amnesty law annulled on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
In the local parliamentary elections held in Catalonia on May 12, separatist political parties lost their majority in the Catalan parliament for the first time in 40 years.
Although the Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC) won the election, it does not have the majority to govern alone and is negotiating with other political parties to form a minority government.