Mass demonstrations erupted in Madrid’s Cibeles Square as thousands protested a controversial amnesty bill linked to Catalan independence, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Sanchez had previously committed to an amnesty for those implicated in Catalonia’s 2017 independence attempt, in return for parliamentary backing from the separatist party JxCat.
The protest, which drew approximately 15,000 participants, was marked by Spanish flags and cries for Sanchez’s departure. A provocative banner likened Sanchez to a dictator, challenging Spain’s democratic status and appealing to Europe for attention.
The demonstration, prompted by the approval of the amnesty draft by the parliament’s justice committee, saw attendance from conservative and far-right political factions.
The vote on the bill is slated for March 14, following its rejection in January due to concerns it didn’t cover all affected individuals, including the exiled former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.
The revised bill, agreed upon by the Socialists and pro-independence Catalan parties, purports to align with constitutional and European legal standards, a claim disputed by right-wing parties.
Ester Munoz of the Popular Party criticized the government for what she termed a “corrupt bargain,” trading separatist impunity for parliamentary votes, while the Vox party condemned the government’s actions as malevolent.
Despite the opposition, Sanchez defended the bill in Bilbao, asserting it would fortify democracy and facilitate reconciliation within Catalonia.
