MADRID — Spain’s Parliament voted Thursday to give final approval to a controversial amnesty law for hundreds of Catalan separatists involved in an illegal and unsuccessful 2017 secession bid.
The legislation was backed by Spain’s left-wing coalition government, two Catalan separatist parties and other smaller parties. It passed by a vote of 177-172 in the lower house with the conservative Popular Party and far-right Vox opposing it.
The amnesty could benefit former Catalan regional President Carles Puigdemont, who is a fugitive from Spanish law in Belgium after fleeing his country following the failed October 2017 breakaway bid that he led. It should also help hundreds more, including former government officials in Barcelona, average citizens who participated in the secession attempt or protests, and some police officers involved in the crackdown on an illegal independence referendum held by Puigdemont’s government.
The passing of the amnesty law, however, does not immediately clear up the legal mess of the separatists.
The law is likely to face legal challenges and will be reviewed by higher courts. It also must be applied by courts on a case-by-case basis. There are experts who question its constitutionality since they say it would create inequality between Spanish citizens by favoring some over others.
Since taking power in 2018, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has focused on reducing tensions in northeast Catalonia and he argues the amnesty is key to culminating that process.
But the amnesty was also a political necessity for Sánchez, who agreed to the act of pardon when he needed the support of separatist lawmakers in Madrid to form a new national government in November. It was initially approved by the Parliament’s lower house in March. The Senate, where right-wing parties hold a majority, vetoed it earlier this month, but the lower house pushed it through regardless.
Tensions ran high in the chamber. The vote was by roll call with each lawmaker standing up to vote verbally. An opposition lawmaker shouted “traitor!” at Sánchez after he stood up to vote “yes.”
The Parliament’s session had already taken a nasty turn during the debate when Socialist spokesman Artemi Rallo was interrupted by a Vox lawmaker who shouted out several times calling him a “sellout” and “corrupt.”
“Europe, Spain and Catalonia have said ‘yes’ to the amnesty, even if you don’t like hearing it,” Rallo shot back. He was referring to the endorsement of the amnesty law by the Council of Europe, a non-European Union institution that promotes human rights.
While the amnesty is popular in Catalonia, even among many unionists, the Popular Party and Vox have led protests against it in Madrid and other cities across the country. There have also been critics of the amnesty within Sánchez’s Socialist party.
Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo tried to shame the Socialists for granting the amnesty in exchange for “seven votes” of Puigdemont’s party that it needed to stay in power. He also warned Sánchez that once it is passed, he should expect little favors from the separatists, whose support is key to keep his fragile government in power.
“This is an exchange of power for privileges and impunity,” Feijóo said.
The long legislative road for the amnesty comes to an end during the runup to European Parliament elections on June 6-9 and when the Socialists are trying to form a government in Catalonia after beating the separatists in regional elections earlier this month.
The amnesty covered crimes related to the Catalan separatist movement between November 2011 and November 2023. The government estimates that several hundred people could be covered, while the separatists put that figure in the thousands.
After Sánchez pardoned nine leaders of the movement in 2021 who were in prison, there appear to be no separatists currently behind bars. But many face possible prison terms, fines, prohibitions from running for public office or potential trials.
The parliamentary spokespeople for the Catalan separatist parties had no words of gratitude for Sánchez and his government. Instead, they praised their followers and former leaders who spent time in prison and those who left the country like Puigdemont.
“Today truly is a historic day. Today there is no forgiveness. Today a battle has been won in a conflict that has existed for centuries between two nations,” said Míriam Nogueras, of Puigdemont’s Together party.
They also insisted that the next goal for the separatists will be to try to force Sánchez to go back on his pledge to never grant them an authorized referendum on independence.
Gabriel Rufían, a lawmaker of the Republican Left of Catalonia, told lawmakers, “Next stop: referendum.”
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Joseph Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain.
Spain’s Parliament has given final approval for an amnesty law that will pardon Catalonia’s separatist leaders. This decision comes after years of political turmoil and tension between the central government in Madrid and the regional government in Catalonia.
The amnesty law, which was passed by a narrow majority in Parliament, will grant pardons to nine Catalan politicians and activists who were convicted for their roles in the 2017 independence referendum. The referendum, which was deemed illegal by the Spanish government, led to a crackdown by Madrid and the imprisonment of several separatist leaders.
The decision to grant amnesty to these individuals has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters of the law argue that it is a necessary step towards reconciliation and dialogue between the central government and Catalonia. They believe that the pardons will help to ease tensions and pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Opponents of the law, however, argue that it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the rule of law. They believe that the separatist leaders should serve their full sentences for their role in the illegal referendum, and that granting them amnesty sends the wrong message about accountability and justice.
Despite the controversy surrounding the amnesty law, its approval by Spain’s Parliament marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute between Madrid and Catalonia. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the relationship between the central government and the regional government in Catalonia, and whether it will lead to a lasting resolution to the conflict.
