Spain’s lower house approves contentious Catalan amnesty bill

BARCELONA: Spain’s lower house on Thursday passed a bill granting amnesty to all those involved in the northeastern Catalonia region’s bid for independence, overcoming the last major hurdle for the contentious law that has sparked protests and irked judges.

The amnesty was part of the ruling Socialist Party’s deal with separatist party Junts per Catalunya to secure the latter’s votes to renew Pedro Sanchez’s term as prime minister following an inconclusive general election in July 2023.

The bill, approved by 178-172 votes, will now head to the Senate for ratification. The upper house, controlled by the opposition People’s Party, could delay its final approval by rejecting the bill, which would then return to the lower chamber for one last vote expected in May or June.

The bill uses a broader European definition of terrorism with the intention of ensuring those involved can still be covered by the amnesty even if found guilty in Spain.

Junts and some socialists say the prosecution is being led by conservative judges seeking to block the amnesty and spoil an improved relationship between the national government and Catalonia.

Junts’ officials say it should benefit an additional 150-200 people, and 1,500 people overall, depending on judges’ interpretations.