Spain's PM Sánchez Secures Coalition Support with Controversial Catalan Amnesty

Deal with separatist party Junts includes talks on independence referendum and tax control, sparking widespread opposition and predictions of a challenging legislative term ahead.

Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has secured a coalition agreement with the separatist party Junts, which includes a controversial amnesty for Catalan separatists. The amnesty could benefit thousands of secessionists, including Junts leader Carles Puigdemont, who fled Spain after leading a failed illegal secession bid in 2017.
The deal also includes talks on a new independence referendum and more control over tax revenue for Catalonia. This has sparked widespread opposition, with critics accusing Sánchez of betraying the country and handing power to a fugitive.
The amnesty proposal, which will have to be approved by Spain’s Parliament, is intended to wipe away the legal cases against those who took part in the secession bid or participated in protests. Sánchez believes the amnesty will be positive for Spain as it will calm tensions within Catalonia.
The agreement with Junts was necessary for Sánchez to form a new coalition minority government following an inconclusive election in July. The Socialists, with 121 seats, and their leftist coalition partner Sumar, with 31, needed the support of several smaller parties to clinch a 176 majority in Parliament and stay in power.
The deal has sparked massive protests, with tens of thousands of people demonstrating against the amnesty. The opposition parties and several courts in Spain are likely to contest any amnesty approved by Spain’s Parliament, potentially causing a legal quagmire in an already clogged judiciary.