Massive Protest in Madrid Against Amnesty Law for Catalan Separatists

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Faces Backlash for Deal That Secured His Second Term

Approximately 170,000 people protested in Madrid against the amnesty law for Catalan separatists, a deal that allowed Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to secure a second term.
A Spanish military officer was arrested with a pistol at a demonstration against the amnesty law, marking the first time a weapon has been discovered at the protests.
Opposition leaders, including Alberto Nunez Feijoo of the People's Party and Santiago Abascal of the far-right Vox party, attended the protest and criticized Sanchez's deal with Catalan pro-independence parties.
The amnesty law will benefit around 400 people involved in Catalonia's 2017 independence bid, including separatists and police involved in clashes with activists.
Sanchez has defended the law, arguing that it would help defuse tensions in Catalonia, but it has been criticized by judicial associations, opposition political parties, and business leaders who say it threatens the rule of law and the separation of powers.