Rebellion rising in Spain as EU meddles on rule of law concerns

Von der Leyen/Sanchez

Spain is facing a growing rebellion from large sections of Spanish society and a battle with the EU over the Prime Minister's decision to form a government with Catalan separatists

PA/EU
Millie Cooke

By Millie Cooke


Published: 10/11/2023

- 14:15

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the Together for Catalonia party came to an agreement that would give the socialist party enough support to remain in power

Spain is facing a growing rebellion from large sections of Spanish society and a battle with the EU over the Prime Minister's decision to form a government with Catalan separatists.

The deal, which saw Spain's PM agree to give amnesty to those prosecution for their involvement in the failed 2017 Catalan independence referendum, has sparked concern from Brussels.


Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont’s Together for Catalonia (JxCat) party came to an agreement that will give the socialist party enough support to remain in power.

But the European Union’s Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said he has "serious concerns" about the terms of the deal.

WATCH: Von der Leyen gives her State of the EU address 

He asked for further clarification "as regards the personal, material and temporal scope of this envisaged law.”

The proposed law would ensure Sánchez secures support from seven lawmakers in the pro-independence Junts party.

This will bring an end to the political stalemate that has been playing out since July, when the party was left with no clear path to reaching a majority.


The spanish conservative Popular Party won the election in July, but they were unable to form a majority.

But there is growing uproar from conservative parties, who accused Sanchez of dragging Spain towards "humiliation".

Since the deal was announced, right wing protests have been held to oppose the agreement.

Politicians in the Popular Party have claimed Sanchez's deal is the equivalent of writing a "blank cheque for the independence movement".

Meanwhile, Madrid regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso accused the Socialist party of "selling a nation with centuries of history", hitting out at what they see as an attack on the rule of law in Spain.

Initially, Sanchez secured an agreement with The Catalan Republican Left (ERC).

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Pedro Sanchez

Politicians in the Popular Party have claimed Sanchez's deal is the equivalent of writing a "blank cheque for the independence movement"

PA


But the latest development saw Sanchez strike a deal with the more radical Together for Catalonia (JxCat).

The two parties hold seven seats each in the 350-seat parliament.

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