Spanish parliament passes controversial bill forgiving Catalan separatist crimes

• Spain’s parliament has approved an amnesty bill that forgives crimes committed by Catalan separatists during the failed 2017 independence referendum.
• During the 2017 crisis, the Catalan government held a referendum against orders from Madrid.
• The bill’s passage remains uncertain, and it faces rejection in the conservative-controlled Senate.

Spain’s parliament on Thursday issued an agreement aimed at pardoning crimes, both proven and alleged, committed by Catalan separatists during a chaotic attempt to hold an independence referendum in Catalonia six years ago. approved a controversial amnesty bill.

Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has promoted amnesty as a way to overcome a 2017 secession attempt by Catalonia’s then-leaders. Catalonia is a northeastern region centered on Barcelona, ​​where many people speak the local Catalan language and Spanish.

But the bill also faced opposition from millions of Spaniards who believe those responsible for one of Spain’s biggest political crises should face charges such as embezzlement and promoting disorder. ing.

Spain’s parliament to vote on controversial amnesty bill for Catalan separatists

Mr. Sánchez has already pardoned nine imprisoned Catalan independence leaders, a move that has helped heal wounds at little political cost. But amnesty is proving to be even more divisive.

The bill was passed in Madrid’s 350-member lower house by a vote of 178 to 172.

The secession crisis erupted in 2017, when the regional government led by Carles Puigdemont held a referendum on independence in defiance of central government orders and a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that violated the constitution. Madrid sent police to try to block the referendum, but violent protests opposed it.

Catalonia’s parliament declared independence on October 27 of the same year, but failed to gain international support. Puigdemont and several other senior officials later fled Spain.

Hundreds or even thousands of people in Catalonia are under threat of prosecution related to the referendum and protests, and Puigdemont and other leaders remain abroad.

A recent court investigation has charged the former regional terror president with masterminding massive protests in 2019 that led to violent clashes with police and the blockade of roads, train lines and Barcelona’s airport.

Mr Sánchez agreed to the amnesty to secure support for Catalonia’s two separatist parties after they became kingmakers in last July’s inconclusive national elections.

Conservative opposition parties have accused Sanchez of selling out the rule of law in exchange for an extension to his term at the Moncloa Palace, and have organized massive street protests in recent months.

Socialist parliamentary spokesperson Patosi López on Thursday defended the bill as a move aimed at “reconciliation” with Catalonia.

Alberto Nuñez Feijó, leader of the opposition People’s Party, fired back: “This is not reconciliation, it is submission.”

It is unclear whether the deal will bring stability to Sánchez’s minority government. Puigdemont’s separatist party, Yunts, said Sanchez was obligated to pardon him for supporting his efforts to stay in power, and that they may support Sanchez’s policies. Depends on what they can get in return.

This bill still has many formalities to go through before it becomes law. The conservative-controlled Senate is expected to reject the bill, which would require a second yes vote from the lower house for passage.

Mr. Sánchez’s party has had great difficulty crafting a bill that satisfies secessionists and is sure to face intense scrutiny in the courts. Congress rejected an earlier version of the bill in late January after Janz argued it did not go far enough to protect Puigdemont. The bill was then returned to a parliamentary committee, where it was tailored to Jantz’s needs.

Mr. Puigdemont currently lives in Belgium and is a member of the European Parliament. A fugitive from the Spanish judiciary, he calls himself a political exile.

Thursday’s vote comes a day after regional leaders in Catalonia called for early elections. The decision added further uncertainty to Spanish politics and led to the cancellation of the 2024 budget, as Sanchez had difficulty gaining support from the two separatist parties during the campaign.

Oriol Bartomeus, a political science professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, ​​said that despite clearing the amnesty hurdle, Sanchez’s government remains weak. But a snap election in Catalonia will at least buy him time.

Spain’s Sanchez defends controversial amnesty deal signed with Catalan separatists

“The good thing for Sánchez is that instead of facing very difficult negotiations over the budget, he can take a breather if the Socialist Party does well in the Catalan elections,” Bartomeus told The Associated Press.

Spain granted significant amnesty in 1975 when dictator Francisco Franco died and transitioned back to democracy. However, legal experts are divided on the constitutionality of the amnesty for Catalan separatists. Critics of the law argue that it violates the principle of equality among Spanish people by giving preferential treatment to people from certain regions.

The government says the amnesty could save hundreds of people, but the Catalan independence group Omnium Cultural claims that only about 100 people, mostly low-level officials and ordinary citizens who helped organize the referendum or took part in the protests, could save hundreds of people. He claims that the amnesty will benefit 4,400 people.

The application of amnesty will be decided by the courts on a case-by-case basis.