Catalan separatists reject amnesty bill, highlighting the fragility of Spain’s minority government

MADRID — Catalan separatist lawmakers dealt Spain’s government a blow Tuesday by voting against a hugely divisive amnesty law that was aimed at helping hundreds of their supporters who were involved in Catalonia’s unsuccessful 2017 independence bid. The most radical separatists, who want to ensure that their leader Carles Puigdemont, a fugitive in Belgium, can … Read more

Why Spain’s acting leader is offering a politically explosive amnesty for Catalan separatists

MADRID — Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ’s chances of forming a new coalition minority government following an inconclusive election in July were greatly boosted this week after reaching an agreement with a tiny party he surely hoped he would never have to rely on. The deal is with Together for Catalunya, also known … Read more

Spain’s socialists grant Catalan separatists amnesty to stay in power

Comment on this storyCommentAdd to your saved storiesSave Spain’s Socialist Party on Thursday struck a highly controversial deal to remain in power by offering an amnesty to separatists who staged a failed 2017 bid for Catalan independence in exchange for their political backing. The deal brings Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez — a photogenic 51-year-old who … Read more

Spain’s leader mulls granting amnesty to thousands of Catalan separatists in order to stay in power

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona accountant Oriol Calvo ran afoul of the law when he was arrested in 2019 during a mass protest by supporters of Catalonia’s independence from Spain that turned violent. A court found him guilty of public disorder and of aggressive behavior toward a police officer — offenses he denies. The 25-year-old is … Read more