Spain’s parliament would give final approval to an amnesty law for hundreds of Catalans involved in an illegal secession attempt in 2017, AP News reported.
Spain’s left-wing coalition government, two Catalan and other smaller parties supported the legislation. The Catalan amnesty law is expected to pass despite the fact that the conservative Popular Party and the national-oriented Vox voted against it.
An amnesty could benefit Catalonia’s former regional president Carles Puigdemont. He had previously fled Spain after a failed secession attempt in October 2017, which he led.
It has been more than proven that we have judges and prosecutors who conspire to bring down politicians.
However, the adoption of the Catalan amnesty law does not immediately clarify the legal confusion. The law is likely to face legal challenges and will be reviewed by higher courts. Courts must also apply it on a case-by-case basis. Some experts question its constitutionality, as they believe it will create inequality among Spanish citizens, favouring some over others.
Since coming to power in 2018, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez focused on reducing tensions in northeastern Catalonia. He also stated that an amnesty was key to finalising this process.
However, amnesty was also a political necessity for Sánchez. He agreed to the act of pardoning when he needed the support of Catalan lawmakers in Madrid to form a new national government in November.
The lower house of parliament initially approved the law in March. However, the Senate, where national-oriented parties constituted a majority, rejected it earlier this month. Despite this, the lower house can still push it through.
While the amnesty is popular in Catalonia even among many trade unionists, the Popular Party and Vox have led protests against it in Madrid and other cities across the country. Critics of the amnesty also spoke out within Sánchez’s Socialist Party.
The move comes as Spain prepares for the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 6-9. Sánchez’s Socialists are allegedly trying to form a government in Catalonia after defeating separatists in regional elections earlier this month.
