Spain’s socialist party (PSOE) has struck a deal with Catalan separatist party Junts per Catalunya that could pave the way for acting prime minister Pedro Sánchez to form a coalition government.
Speaking in Brussels,the PSOE’s organisational secretary, Santos Cerdán said the deal was a “historical opportunity to resolve a conflict that can only be resolved through politics.”
In a draft version of the pact seen by Euronews, the parties say that despite their “profound differences,” Junts will offer seven of its votes to back a Sánchez-led government in exchange for a controversial amnesty for Catalan politicians and activists who participated in a failed attempt at secession from Spain in 2017.
July’s inconclusive general election left no clear road to government for neither the right- nor left-wing coalition, but with Junts’ seven votes Sánchez can muster sufficient support to pass the 176-seat majority benchmark in an investiture vote.
The pact has drawn fierce criticism from opposition parties, who accuse Sánchez of undermining the rule of law by absolving crimes including embezzlement and maladministration. Violent protests have taken place in Spanish cities over the past few days.
In a letter addressed to Spanish ministers on Wednesday, EU justice commissioner Didier Reynders requested more information on the possible amnesty law amid “serious concerns,” saying the Commission had been contacted by “a large number of citizens.”
In response, Spain’s Presidency Minister Félix Bolaños said that the amnesty bill was a proposal from the parliamentary groups, and that the current caretaker status of the government prevented it from submitting bills to the parliament.
Source: Euro News
