Catalan pro-independence parties and Socialists defend amnesty law in EU Parliament

Catalan pro-independence parties and the Socialists have once again come out in support of the amnesty law in the European Parliament. 

In the latest meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, the Socialists have expressed their support for the "legitimate goal" of "reconciliation" pursued by the amnesty. 

"The law corrects a very serious error of the Spanish institutional system that should never have happened," said pro-independence Junts MEP Toni Comín.

Comín highlighted that Spain "is not a normal democracy" as it moved to the judicial a "political conflict." "It should not have happened at all," he added.

On a similar note, Socialist MEPs have defended the "legitimate goal" of the "reconciliation" that the amnesty is chasing and confirm what the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, already stated.

Meanwhile, the conservative People's Party and liberal Ciudadanos rejected the text as it offers an "undiscriminated impunity" to Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez's partners.

During the debate, Marta Cartabia, vice president of the Venice Commission, shared again their opinion announced in March.

For them, the amnesty generates "some controversy" and has worsened "the division" of the Spanish society, which is why they are urging authorities to "take as much time as needed" to debate the matter.

The same organization believes it would be better if the new legislation were passed with a "qualified majority" instead of a simple majority and for the law to be introduced via a constitutional amendment.

Bill in Senate

The legislation is currently being debated on the Spanish Senate, after it was passed in the Congress on March 14.

Since then, senators have been debating on the subject. However, it continues a longer process as the chamber has an absolute majority of the People's Party.

Once the chamber votes on such legislation,  it will be returned to the Congress for a final vote. It will be then, which could be before summer or even as early as mid-May when the law will come into effect.

Courts will have some time to study the law and to rule on the future of those who can benefit from such amnesty.