Spanish right-wing leader calls out Sanchez’s amnesty promises to separatists

4 months ago 23

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the right-wing Partido Popular (EPP), criticised Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez following the Supreme Court’s decision not to apply the new amnesty law to former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, saying he had betrayed the separatists despite their agreement to support him in parliament.

Puigdemont has been “deceived” by Sánchez, the PP leader said hours after Spain’s Supreme Court refused to apply the controversial amnesty law for embezzlement to Puigdemont in an interview aired by private radio station Onda Cero.

Sánchez “cheated” Puigdemont, while Puigdemont “let himself be cheated” by Sánchez, he added.

In particular, he points out that embezzlement is not recognised as a pardonable offence under the Spanish legal system or EU treaties.

The controversial amnesty law, which came into force in June, was a “legal trick”, the PP leader said in reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling, which will prevent Puigdemont from returning to Spain without charges unless an appeal is successful.

According to Núñez Feijóo, it would force those to whom it applies – an estimated 400 people – to wait a long time to know whether the courts will use it for them or not or even that there are legal loopholes and many doubts about whether the rule applies in some specific cases.

He also noted that the Supreme Court’s decision would help the Spanish centre-right party’s plans to ensure the EU Court of Justice annuls the amnesty law – a pledge the Spanish opposition made in November last year.

PP’s leader also said his party would challenge the controversial law before the Constitutional Court,

On the other side of the political spectrum, Gerardo Pisarello, one of Sumar’s parliament spokespersons, called the Supreme Court’s decision “a real shame”. Judges must apply the law “because otherwise they are neglecting to act”, he added.

While the members of Puigdemont’s JxCat and the left-wing separatist party ERC are key for Sánchez’s progressive government to maintain its majority in parliament – for which the government has promised generous concessions, including the controversial amnesty law – it remains unclear how things will play out.

According to experts, possible scenarios for Puigdemont include appealing the decision, going before the Constitutional Court, taking his case to the EU Court of Justice, or being arrested if he returns to Spain.

(Fernando Heller | EuroEFE.Euractiv.es – Edited by Daniel Eck)