Spain PM Defends Contested Catalan Amnesty Before Vote Of Confidence
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published November 15, 2023 | 10:16 PM
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez defended Wednesday his controversial amnesty deal for Catalonia's separatists needed to secure another term in office, telling parliament the measure is necessary to "heal the wounds" opened by the region's failed 2017 secession bid
Madrid, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2023) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez defended Wednesday his controversial amnesty deal for Catalonia's separatists needed to secure another term in office, telling parliament the measure is necessary to "heal the wounds" opened by the region's failed 2017 secession bid.
In a sign of the tensions over the amnesty deal, police blocked off access to parliament to prevent hundreds of protesters from getting close to the building.
Inside, the Socialist leader addressed the assembly to outline his priorities for another four-year mandate ahead of a vote of confidence on Thursday.
Sanchez, who has been in office since 2018, is expected to be voted in with ease.
His Socialist party has reached deals with several small parties to ensure he has the backing of 179 legislators, three more than the absolute majority of 176 needed in a first vote.
The conservative Popular Party (PP) came first in July's general election but was unable to cobble together a working majority in the 350-seat parliament.
To win the crucial backing of Catalonia's two main separatist parties, the ERC and JxCat, Sanchez agreed to their demand to grant an amnesty to those involved in the region's separatist movement over the past decade.
This includes Catalonia's failed 2017 secession bid which included a referendum that was banned by the courts. That was followed by a short-lived declaration of independence which sparked Spain's worst political crisis in decades.
Critics argue that the amnesty is a self-serving means for Sanchez to remain in power.
The 51-year-old, who has made a career out of making political gambles, told parliament on Wednesday it is what is needed to "heal the wounds" opened by the wealthy northeastern region's bid to break away from Spain.
- 'Prefer reconciliation to revenge' -
"We prefer reconciliation to revenge, unity to fracture," he said in a speech lasting an hour and 45 minutes which was at times met with jeers from opponents.
"This amnesty will benefit many people, political leaders whose ideas I do not share and whose actions I reject, but also hundreds of citizens who were swept up in the (separatist) process.
"
Backers of the bill estimate the amnesty could benefit around 400 people, primarily minor officials and ordinary citizens who helped stage the 2017 referendum or took part in protests.
Police officers facing legal action over their sometimes violent efforts to stop the referendum from going ahead, or their clashes with protesters, are also covered.
But it will also benefit the head of the Catalan regional government at the time of the 2017 secession bid, JxCat founder Carles Puigdemont. He fled to Belgium shortly after the referendum to avoid prosecution. Many Spaniards consider him an enemy of the state.
The amnesty deal has prompted a wave of protests across Spain, with hundreds of people rallying nationwide on Sunday, answering a call from the PP to take to the streets.
-'Selling Spain' -
Sanchez "is selling Spain" to Catalan separatists to remain in power, Belen Valdez, who was draped in a Spanish flag, told AFP at the Wednesday's protest near the parliament.
His amnesty law "insults Spaniards", she added.
PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo said Sanchez "has not got any one's support, he has bought it with checks that we will all pay."
"They want a resigned and silent Spain, but they won't have it. They will hear us in the streets."
Thousands have congregated each night for over a week outside the Socialist party's headquarters in Madrid in rallies organised by the far-right. Some of the protests have turned violent.
The PP and far-right party Vox, which has called for "resistance" against Sanchez's new government, have vowed to challenge the amnesty in the courts.
The draft amnesty law, which was tabled in parliament on Monday and is expected to face a vote in the coming weeks, has also sparked criticism from judges and raised concerns in Brussels, which has asked for more details.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan marks World Press Freedom Day
High-level Saudi business delegation due on May 5
Stocks heat up as US labour market cools
President approves Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
Implementation of merit, justice to oppressed segments top priorities: CPO
Overseas Kashmir community delegation calls on AJK President, discusses latest s ..
Govt believes in freedom of press: Amir Muqam
Labour urges UK election after Tory losses
Health authorities asked for action against alleged illegal tenders at Services ..
Spain scraps national bullfighting prize sparking debate
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan visits Rawalpindi ..
ATC extends interim bail of PTI founder in 3 cases
More Stories From World
-
Football: German Bundesliga results
25 minutes ago -
Auger-Aliassime in final as 'crazy' Madrid injury curse strikes again
35 minutes ago -
Football: Italian Serie A result
35 minutes ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
35 minutes ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
35 minutes ago -
Bill May or may not make Olympic history in the pool
55 minutes ago
-
USA include former Kiwi all-rounder in T20 World Cup squad
55 minutes ago -
Canada arrests three over killing of Sikh activist: media
1 hour ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 results
1 hour ago -
'Get this done', WHO chief urges pandemic accord talks
1 hour ago -
Lakers fire head coach Ham after NBA playoff ouster
1 hour ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - collated
2 hours ago