Spain’s Congress Approves Amnesty for Catalan Separatists, Paving Way for Sanchez’s Second Term

The approval of a controversial amnesty for Catalan separatists in Spain’s Congress has sparked both celebration and outrage across the country. The bill, which passed by a narrow margin of 177-172 votes, is expected to pave the way for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s second term and the return of exiled pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont.

The amnesty, once published in the official gazette, will give courts up to two months to annul the legal records of hundreds of officials and activists involved in Catalonia’s separatist movement since 2011. This move has been met with large protests and criticism from some judges and the conservative opposition, who plan to challenge it in court.

Despite opposition from a majority of Spaniards, the bill has strong support in Catalonia, where 48% of voters back the amnesty. Sanchez proposed the amnesty last year in exchange for support from Catalan separatist parties to secure his position as premier after an inconclusive election.

The approval of the amnesty comes at a crucial time, as Sanchez’s Socialist Party recently won Catalonia’s regional election, weakening the separatist movement’s hold on power. The hope is that the amnesty will help solidify the alliance between the Socialists and smaller parties needed to pass legislation in the national parliament.

The most high-profile beneficiary of the amnesty is Carles Puigdemont, who led the failed independence bid in 2017 and has been in exile in Belgium. With the Spanish arrest warrant against him expected to be lifted, Puigdemont has announced his intention to return to Spain to participate in the election of a new Catalan president.

The passage of the amnesty bill marks a historic moment in the ongoing conflict between Catalonia and Spain. While some see it as a step towards reconciliation, others view it as a controversial move that could have far-reaching consequences. The coming months will be crucial in determining the impact of this decision on the future of Catalonia and its relationship with the rest of Spain.