Spain's Parliament has voted to pass a contentious amnesty law aimed at pardoning Catalan separatists involved in the failed 2017 secession attempt, officials say.
Spain’s Parliament voted Thursday to give final approval to a controversial amnesty law for hundreds of Catalan separatists involved in an illegal and unsuccessful 2017 secession bid. The legislation was backed by Spain’s left-wing coalition government, two Catalan separatist parties and other smaller parties. It passed by a vote of 177-172 in the lower house with the conservative Popular Party and far-right Vox opposing it.
The passing of the amnesty law, however, does not immediately clear up the legal mess of the separatists. The law is likely to face legal challenges and will be reviewed by higher courts. It also must be applied by courts on a case-by-case basis. There are experts who question its constitutionality since they say it would create inequality between Spanish citizens by favoring some over others.
Tensions ran high in the chamber. The vote was by roll call with each lawmaker standing up to vote verbally. An opposition lawmaker shouted 'traitor!' at Sánchez after he stood up to vote 'yes.' The Parliament's session had already taken a nasty turn during the debate when Socialist spokesman Artemi Rallo was interrupted by a Vox lawmaker who shouted out several times calling him a 'sellout' and 'corrupt.
The parliamentary spokespeople for the Catalan separatist parties had no words of gratitude for Sánchez and his government. Instead, they praised their followers and former leaders who spent time in prison and those who left the country like Puigdemont. 'Today truly is a historic day. Today there is no forgiveness. Today a battle has been won in a conflict that has existed for centuries between two nations,' said Míriam Nogueras, of Puigdemont’s Together party.
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