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Spain’s ruling Socialist party has sealed a contentious amnesty deal with Catalan separatists that will pave the way for caretaker prime minister Pedro Sánchez to secure another term in office.
The deal was confirmed on Thursday morning by the Socialists and the hardline separatist party Together for Catalonia. The Catalan party’s chief Carles Puigdemont is a fugitive from Spanish justice and probable beneficiary of an amnesty.
The pact is already sparking outrage on the right over the move to absolve hundreds of people of wrongdoing over a failed and unlawful Catalan declaration of independence six years ago.
The amnesty law must be approved by Spain’s parliament and would then pave the way for the investiture of Sánchez by November 27. Following an inconclusive July general election he needs the support of smaller parties in parliament to reach a 176-seat majority.
