The ruling Social Labor Party needs to include the Catalan party for a coalition government.
Catalonia: Supports pardon of hundreds of independence activists
Criticism of the right-wing National Party… “A coward who cares about the separatists.”
In 2017, a large-scale protest was held in Madrid, the Spanish capital, against the amnesty of the political leaders who pushed for Catalonia’s independence.
According to the British daily Guardian on the 24th (local time), about 40,000 citizens gathered in Madrid on this day and protested against the amnesty of the political leadership pushing for Catalan independence.
Alberto Núñez Payjo, leader of the right-wing People’s Party (PP), who led the protests, criticized Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for “completely lacking moral and political integrity” and corrupting Spanish democracy.
He also said, “The left sees amnesty as coexistence and normalization, and defeat as victory, but we Spanish people are not fools,” and condemned that if re-elections are held in early 2024, voters will hold Acting Prime Minister Sánchez accountable.
The controversy over the amnesty arose when the People’s Party and the ruling Social Workers’ Party (PSOE) failed to secure a majority of seats to form a coalition government in the Spanish general election last July.
Both parties are short of 5 seats to form a majority to form a government, and in order to succeed in forming a coalition government, they must persuade ‘Joints for Catalonia (7 seats)’, which seeks independence for the Catalonia region in northeastern Spain.
The current situation is favorable for the Socialist Labor Party, led by Acting Prime Minister Sánchez, but the Socialist Labor Party needs the Junts Party to form a government.
Former Catalan governor Carles Puigdemont, who leads the Junts party, expressed support on the condition of amnesty for hundreds of pro-secession figures wanted by judicial authorities, including himself. Former Governor Puigdemont fled the country after pursuing independence in 2017.
Acting Prime Minister Sánchez hinted at the possibility of a pardon, saying he would not rule out anything.
The National Party is criticizing this and is rallying its supporters, criticizing Acting Prime Minister Sánchez as “a cowardly leader who is obsessed with maintaining his position as prime minister while looking out for Catalan separatists.”
Acting Prime Minister Sánchez is countering that “the National Party is making an apocalyptic prophecy,” and is avoiding any clear mention of the amnesty.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.