Spain's PM strikes key deal with Catalan separatists to keep him in power
Spain's Socialist Party has clinched a controversial deal with Catalan separatists that will enable Pedro Sánchez to form a government and remain in power.
In exchange for their support, the separatists will get passage of a bill that will grant amnesty to Catalans being prosecuted for their involvement in the failed attempt to secede from the rest of Spain in 2017.
The proposed bill has sparked several days of tense protests in the country this week, with thousands rallying against it in the capital Madrid.
IN IMAGES: Second night of far-right protests against Spain's amnesty
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialists finished second in the July 23rd parliamentary elections and he has until November 27th to cobble together a working coalition, or face fresh elections.
Sánchez needs the support of Catalan independence parties, and has accepted their demands to offer amnesty to all those being pursued for their role in a failed secession attempt in 2017.
READ MORE: Spain's amnesty dilemma - the 'end of democracy' or logical next step?
In response, conservative opposition parties and members of Spain's judiciary have stepped up criticism, with some accusing Sánchez of corruption and abandoning the rule of law.
A source with knowledge of the negotiations between the Socialists and the Catalan parties said on Thursday that agreement had been clinched and that details would be presented later in the day in Brussels.
Brussels is currently the base of Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who left Spain for Belgium following the failed secession bid to avoid prosecution.
Comments
See Also
In exchange for their support, the separatists will get passage of a bill that will grant amnesty to Catalans being prosecuted for their involvement in the failed attempt to secede from the rest of Spain in 2017.
The proposed bill has sparked several days of tense protests in the country this week, with thousands rallying against it in the capital Madrid.
IN IMAGES: Second night of far-right protests against Spain's amnesty
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialists finished second in the July 23rd parliamentary elections and he has until November 27th to cobble together a working coalition, or face fresh elections.
Sánchez needs the support of Catalan independence parties, and has accepted their demands to offer amnesty to all those being pursued for their role in a failed secession attempt in 2017.
READ MORE: Spain's amnesty dilemma - the 'end of democracy' or logical next step?
In response, conservative opposition parties and members of Spain's judiciary have stepped up criticism, with some accusing Sánchez of corruption and abandoning the rule of law.
A source with knowledge of the negotiations between the Socialists and the Catalan parties said on Thursday that agreement had been clinched and that details would be presented later in the day in Brussels.
Brussels is currently the base of Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who left Spain for Belgium following the failed secession bid to avoid prosecution.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.