With cries of “No to amnesty” and “Puigdemont in prison,” referring to the former president of the Catalan government and leader of the failed secession attempt in 2017, demonstrators along Paseo de Gracia waved posters and Spanish flags. Thousands of people protested in Barcelona against the amnesty being negotiated by the left with Catalan separatist parties to gain their vital support for the inauguration of socialist Pedro Sánchez as head of the Spanish government.
The protest, under the slogan “Not in my name: neither amnesty nor self-determination”, was called by the anti-independence platform of Catalan Civil Society, but was also attended by the leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo. and the leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal.
Both the right and the far right strongly oppose the pardon for Catalan separatists with legal proceedings for their participation in the failed 2017 secession attempt, demanded by the independenceists in return for their support for Sánchez’s inauguration.
“This is not an amnesty that seeks reconciliation, what it exclusively pursues is the presidency of the government,” defended Feijóo, who failed last week in his bid to be sworn in as prime minister following the PP’s victory in the 23rd parliamentary elections. , but without achieving an absolute majority.
Santiago Abascal assured that it was “unacceptable for politicians to break the law, some to reach the head of the government… others to seal their debt to the law. And he denounced “an attack on the constitution.”
After failing to gain parliamentary support, Spain’s King Felipe VI instructed Sánchez on Tuesday to now stand as a candidate for the inauguration.
The current Prime Minister has already proven himself to be a survivor and has now assured that “generosity” is necessary towards Catalan independence activists in negotiations that he admitted were complicated.
For now, Sánchez has started negotiations with Yolanda Díaz’s Sumar, his deputy prime minister in the current government. Sumar’s leader is expected to present a document in Barcelona tomorrow proposing an amnesty for the separatists. “We are aware of Sumar’s proposal on amnesty, as well as that of other parties, which is good because it is a way to resolve the legal implications of the 2017 independence referendum,” Sánchez said at the European summit on Friday Granada. honestly.
The document has already been sent to Junts per Catalunya, who thanked Díaz for his willingness to “reach an agreement.” Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), whose votes Sánchez also needs, also received a copy.
Source: DN
