Pedro Sánchez’s Spanish amnesty deal falters as separatists revolt

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The amnesty deal that gave Spain’s prime minister another term in office has fractured as Catalan separatists voted against a bill that was supposed to lock in their support for Pedro Sánchez.

In a day of brinkmanship between hardline separatists and Sánchez’s Socialists, the clash over the amnesty law underlined the volatility ushered in by the prime minister’s bargaining for parliamentary votes.

Sánchez offered the amnesty to absolve separatists of alleged crimes linked to a failed push for independence in 2017, but the most militant pro-independence party on Tuesday rejected the latest bill for not going far enough.

Together for Catalonia, headed by self-exiled leader Carles Puigdemont, issued last-minute demands for the amnesty to be broadened to include all Catalan separatists accused of wrongdoing, including those under investigation for possible terrorism offences.

But the Socialist party refused to bow, ensuring that the bill was rejected by a majority in the lower house of parliament, including the conservative People’s party.

The result does not kill the amnesty initiative, but means the bill will be returned to a parliamentary committee for up to a month of further negotiations between the parties.

The day pointed to the fragility of Sánchez’s alliances and the risk that repeated bartering and disputes with Together, whose votes he needs to pass any legislation, will eclipse attempts to govern in the months ahead.

The PP called the outcome a “humiliation” for Sánchez. Lucía Méndez, a columnist at the conservative El Mundo newspaper, said: “It’s terrible for the Socialists because they’re making fools of themselves.”

Sánchez, prime minister since 2018, has faced a barrage of criticism from conservatives and some members of his own Socialist party for striking an amnesty deal in November that they say undercuts the rule of law and puts his own interests above the country’s.

Together was seeking to amend the amnesty bill to protect Puigdemont and other members against moves by Spanish judges to investigate them for terrorism and treason.

A Together official said the amnesty bill in its current form did not guarantee the objectives of “including everyone and being immediately applicable”, especially because parts of the judiciary were seeking to “boycott the law and leave pro-independence supporters out”.

Possible terrorism charges relate to a pro-independence group called Tsunami Democràtic, which is implicated in mass protests including a blockade of Barcelona airport in 2019. Judge Manuel García-Castellón has said he is investigating whether Puigdemont directed those acts. Another judge, Joaquín Aguirre, is investigating potentially treasonous links between Puigdemont’s inner circle and Russia.

Sánchez’s party and Together last week agreed to amend the amnesty bill so that it would cover those accused of terrorism unless “it relates to a serious violation of human rights”.

The latest legal moves have nonetheless unnerved Puigdemont’s party, even though people close to him say the judges are politically motivated conservatives wielding false information.

In comments directed at Together, a Socialist official called for “political maturity” from those who signed up to the amnesty deal. “The bill is solid and cannot be subject to change with each new piece of news that emerges,” the official said.

Puigdemont is a fugitive from Spanish justice, having fled to Belgium to escape arrest after leading the 2017 independence bid. He faces charges of disobedience and misuse of public funds.

Sánchez has said the amnesty deal is necessary to defuse the conflict over Catalonia’s status within Spain.

Some legal experts say the amnesty would already breach the constitution and Together’s demands would make it more likely to be struck down by the courts.

Sánchez’s critics have warned the prime minister has left himself at the mercy of Together, a party that challenges the legitimacy of the Spanish state and whose record suggests it will issue new demands each time he needs its support.

Méndez said the message to the government from the judges with Puigdemont in their sights was: “Listen, we’re acting in accordance with the law. If you have made a political pact with Together, that is your problem.”