EU Court Upholds Spain's Amnesty for Catalan Separatists

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Thursday that Spain's controversial amnesty law for people involved in the Catalan separatist movement is compatible with EU law, strengthening the position of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government and its Catalan allies.

The amnesty was approved by Spain's lower house of parliament in 2024 under an agreement between Sánchez's ruling Socialist Party and Catalan separatist parties. The deal enabled Sánchez to remain in office after the inconclusive 2023 general election despite opposition efforts to block the legislation.

The court ruled that adopting and applying amnesty laws falls within the competence of EU member states. It said EU law does not prevent legislation aimed at easing political and institutional tensions and promoting reconciliation by extinguishing criminal liability.

However, the judges rejected one provision of the law. They ruled that Spanish courts cannot be required to end proceedings or overturn decisions on financial liability within two months if they are still awaiting a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union.

(Reuters, bak)