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Spanish congress votes against controversial Amnesty Law
In a shock move, Catalan nationalists blocked the passing of the bill
The highly controversial Amnesty Law, which has divided politicians and ordinary citizens across Spain, failed its first parliamentary test this week when separatist party Together for Catalonia (JxCat) voted against the bill, claiming it doesn't offer sufficient protection for those under investigation for terrorism-related offences.
Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government in Spain, agreed to draft the Amnesty Law as part of his bid to get re-elected last year, but it has been staunchly opposed by the conservative People’s Party (PP) and right-wing VOX. Nevertheless, it was widely expected to be pushed through and its rejection by JxCat, which is led by former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, came as a surprise.
In the end, the bill received only 171 votes, falling short of the necessary majority by five votes. It will now be sent back to a parliamentary committee, which has a month to revise and reintroduce the bill. Before taking effect, the law must also receive approval from the Senate.
"We cannot participate in allowing the Catalan independence movement to be exposed to the whims of the politicised Spanish judiciary," said Miriam Nogueras, spokesperson for JxCat.
The main gripe of the separatists stems from a report prepared by national court judge Manuel García-Castellón, which suggests that the Amnesty Law might not protect Mr Puigdemont and his cohorts from being prosecuted for their involvement with 'Democratic Tsunami', a group of activists who staged a series of hugely disruptive protests back in 2019.
While President Sánchez scrambled to save the deal in light of the damning claims, Judge García-Castellón released a second report stating that those involved in alleged terrorist crimes might still be considered to have breached human rights.
However, other independent movements such as ERC have criticised Mr Puigdemont’s party for stalling the bill, insisting it affords enough protection for all.
"This law has enough strength to not be changed by the prevaricating judges who want it to hit the rocks," said Pilar Vallugera, of ERC.
Image: Arne Museler via Wikimedia Commons
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