Protest in Madrid against amnesty for Catalan separatists
Spain's conservative Popular Party organized a rally in the capital to demonstrate against possible measures to clear those involved in the 2016 secession bid
Spain's conservative Popular Party organized a rally on Sunday in the center of Madrid to protest the possibility of amnesty for Catalans who face legal trouble for their roles in the separatist bid six years ago.Borja Sánchez Trillo (EFE)The rally comes just 48 hours before Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the Popular Party, will try to be invested as Spain's new prime minister. His party won the most seats from inconclusive elections in July but fell well short of a majority, making Feijóo's investiture unlikely.SUSANA VERA (REUTERS)On Wednesday, following 24 hours of parliamentary debate, Feijóo would need to win an outright majority of 176 votes of the 350-seat lower chamber based in Madrid.Alejandro Martínez Vélez (Europa Press)If he misses that mark, on Friday the bar would be lowered and the candidate would only need more “Yes” than “No” votes. That scenario would open the possibility of votes to abstain tilting the balance in his favor.JUAN BARBOSAThe two Catalan separatist parties that could play a factor have both ruled out abstaining, given what they consider the Popular Party’s belligerent attitude to their separatist movement.JUAN BARBOSASpain's acting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, and his allies have already taken it for granted that Feijóo will lose and are working on gathering the support required to repeat their left-wing coalition of Socialists and the left-wing Sumar party.Alejandro Martínez Vélez (Europa Press)The price, however, will be costly. Sánchez would also depend on the backing of the Catalan separatist party Junts, whose leader, Carles Puigdemont, is a fugitive from Spanish law residing in Brussels, where he holds a European Parliament seat.JUAN BARBOSAIn exchange for his party's support, Puigdemont is calling for amnesty for an unspecified number, which could reach a few thousand people, of Catalans who face legal trouble for their roles in the separatist bid six years ago.Samuel Sánchez An amnesty would be unpopular for many Spaniards, especially since Puigdemont and many of his followers are unrepentant for almost breaking up the country.
Borja Sánchez Trillo (EFE)Sunday's protest against amnesty for Catalan separatists was attended by former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy, Feijoó (c) and former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar.SUSANA VERA (REUTERS)
