The European Union's highest court ruled on Thursday that Spain's controversial amnesty law for those involved in Catalonia's 2017 independence referendum does not violate EU rules. The decision is a significant boost for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who relied on the amnesty deal to secure the support of Catalan and Basque nationalist parties to remain in power after the 2023 elections.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) found that the amnesty falls within the competence of member states and does not require EU approval. Judge Koen Lenaerts stated that the law aims to reduce institutional and political tensions and facilitate reconciliation, and does not oppose the extinction of criminal liability for non-violent acts.

The amnesty law, passed by Spain's parliament in 2024, sparked major opposition protests, particularly from the conservative People's Party (PP), which argued that pardoning what Madrid deemed a terrorist attempt at sedition was unreasonable. However, Spanish Justice Minister Felix Bolanos declared that there is now "no doubt" the amnesty complies with EU law, adding in a televised statement that despite strong initial rejection, "it has been worth it."

The amnesty covers individuals found guilty of "terrorist" acts related to the secession movement, provided those acts were non-violent and did not violate human rights. The 2017 referendum, declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, saw a 43% turnout, with 92% voting for independence. The regional government in Catalonia, led at the time by Carles Puigdemont, defied Madrid to hold the vote.

Puigdemont remains in self-imposed exile in Belgium, facing a separate embezzlement charge not covered by the amnesty. Spain's Constitutional Court is expected to rule in the coming months on whether the amnesty should apply to his case. The next general election is due in 2027, and support for Catalan independence has reportedly waned since the referendum.

Source: www.dw.com