Spain's Parliament Blocks Landmark Catalan Amnesty Bill

Rejection of the bill highlights deep divisions within the Spanish parliament and the fragility of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government.

Spain's parliament failed to pass a landmark amnesty bill that would have granted a blanket amnesty to everyone involved in the Catalan independence movement. The bill was blocked by members of the pro-independence Junts party, whose votes are crucial for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s socialist-led government to pass legislation.
The amnesty bill was intended to protect those involved in the Catalan independence movement, including former Catalan president and separatist chief Carles Puigdemont, from prosecution for alleged terrorism-related crimes.
The bill's rejection represents a significant blow for Sánchez, who obtained Junts’ crucial support to form a government last November in exchange for moving forward with the amnesty legislation.
The bill will now return for debate in a parliamentary commission before being voted on again by Spanish lawmakers in a few weeks. Junts is likely to use that time to pressure Sánchez’s minority government, which requires the party’s support to pass practically all legislation, to modify the text.
The rejection of the bill has highlighted the fragility of Sánchez's government and the deep divisions within the Spanish parliament.