Lawmakers in Spain have begun debating a new term for acting premier Pedro Sanchez, whose proposal to grant amnesty to Catalan separatists in exchange for their support has sparked protests.
Outside the headquarters of Sanchez’s Socialist Party (PSOE) in Madrid, several thousand protesters, many carrying Spanish flags, gathered to chant “No to the coup!” and burn Catalan flags.
Despite the protests, the PSOE claims that Sanchez has enough support from Catalan separatist parties Junts and ERC, as well as other regional parties, to win a vote scheduled for Thursday.
“There is no prosperity in discord, we have to make a push for coexistence and forgiveness,” Sanchez told lawmakers.
He defended the amnesty bill, which the opposition has labeled as unconstitutional.
“We are convinced that a united Spain is a better Spain,” he said, causing discomfort among some Catalan separatists who hope for independence for the wealthy region through a referendum.
“If we are here today it is to make things really change. But if there is no progress, we will not approve any initiative presented by your government. It is linked to progress and compliance with agreements,” warned Junts bench leader Miriam Nogueras.
Right-wing opposition lawmakers interrupted Sanchez’s speech, calling him “shameless” and “liar,” prompting the house speaker to intervene.
Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the conservative People’s Party (PP), accused Sanchez of “pathological ambition” and exchanging amnesty for personal gain.
“He hasn’t secured the support of anyone, he has bought it by signing checks that we will all pay for,” Feijoo said, telling Sanchez: “History won’t amnesty you, I can assure you.”
It is expected that Sanchez’s new premiership bid will garner 179 votes in favor and 171 against in the 350-member assembly.
Following the announcement of the amnesty deal, protests erupted across Spain. Authorities reported that 80,000 people gathered in Madrid on Sunday, while tens of thousands attended protests in Granada and Seville.
In Madrid, protesters held signs with slogans such as “Pedro Judas Traitor” or “RIP Spanish democracy”. A bus with a large image depicting Sanchez as Adolf Hitler, organized by ultra-conservative activist group Hazteoir.org, circulated in the nearby streets.
People’s Party vice secretary Esteban Gonzalez Pons compared the amnesty deal to violations of the rule of law by some eastern European countries and suggested the European Union could intervene.
Spain’s Supreme Court rejected an injunction by the far-right party Vox to suspend the Sanchez investiture vote.
Following an election in July that produced no outright winner, the PSOE spent weeks negotiating support with smaller parties to back Sanchez in the investiture vote and on key pieces of legislation. The hard-left Sumar party is set to become the junior partner in the future coalition government.
(Reporting by Belen Carreno, Miguel Gutierrez, Emma Pinedo and David Latona; Writing by Charlie Devereux and Andrei Khalip; Editing by Aislinn Laing, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Bernadette Baum)
