In a significant show of opposition, protests have erupted across Spain against an amnesty deal with Catalan separatists that is intended to secure a new term for the Socialist-led government. The largest rally occurred in Madrid, drawing tens of thousands of participants. The leader of the centre-right People’s Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, criticized acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, accusing him of prioritizing personal interests over those of Spain and calling for new elections. Although the People’s Party secured the most votes in a snap election in July, they were unable to form a majority coalition. However, pro-independence Catalan parties agreed to support Sánchez, who has been in office since 2018. The recently announced agreement includes amnesty for separatists who were involved in a failed bid to secede from Spain in 2017. This deal has sparked anger among conservatives and has prompted widespread demonstrations.
The rally in Madrid is estimated to have been attended by around 80,000 people. Mr. Feijóo expressed his determination not to remain silent until new elections are held, denouncing the current actions as contradictory to the will of the Spanish people. Many protesters proudly waved Spanish flags and showcased banners demanding respect for the Constitution. Similar marches took place in various cities, including Granada, Seville, and Valencia.
Before the agreement was reached on Thursday, Sánchez had already secured a deal with one pro-independence party, the Catalan Republican Left (ERC). This party holds power in Spain’s northeastern region. Subsequently, Sánchez’s negotiators reached an agreement with the more radical Together for Catalonia (JxCat), led by Carles Puigdemont, who spearheaded the independence vote but fled to Brussels to avoid imprisonment. In 2017, Puigdemont went into exile, while nine other Catalan leaders were jailed for sedition. However, they were later pardoned by Sánchez in 2021. Although the crime of sedition has now been removed from the penal code, Puigdemont still faces accusations of disobedience and embezzlement of public funds, along with other pro-independence figures who have faced similar charges.
The draft amnesty outlined in the agreement covers charges related to the Catalan push for independence from 2012 until 2023 but does not explicitly name any individuals. JxCat intends to propose a “self-determination referendum on the political future of Catalonia” within the framework of the Spanish constitution, while the Socialist party pledges to defend Catalonia’s autonomy through legal means. The text of the agreement also includes reference to “lawfare,” a term used by JxCat to describe alleged politically motivated judicial cases against pro-independence figures.
Puigdemont hailed the deal as progress towards resolving the long-standing conflict between Catalonia and Spain, while Santos Cerdán, the Socialist party negotiator, emphasized the need to swiftly form a progressive government to bring stability to Spain and fulfill the mandate of the people as expressed in the latest elections.
The controversial amnesty law will be presented to parliament in the coming days. If approved, the next steps will involve an investiture debate and a vote scheduled for next week. The deal has ignited intense anger among Spain’s conservatives, who vehemently oppose granting amnesty to the Catalan separatists.
It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold, whether there will be new elections as demanded by the opposition, or if the amnesty deal will pass in parliament. The outcome has significant implications for the political landscape in Spain and the relationship between the central government and Catalonia, with potential ramifications on issues of autonomy and sovereignty.
The protests and public discontent regarding the amnesty deal highlight the deep divisions and sensitivity surrounding the Catalan independence issue, both within Spain and internationally. The situation warrants careful evaluation, as it has the potential to shape the future of Spanish politics, impact regional dynamics, and influence the broader discourse on self-determination and separatist movements in other parts of the world.
