Spain to reform controversial 'Gag Law', ending border pushbacks and phasing out rubber bullets

Spain will reform the most controversial articles of the 'gag law,' a public safety law passed in 2015 by the conservative People's Party, which expanded police powers.

The reform follows an agreement between the Basque pro-independence party EH Bildu, the Socialist government, and their coalition partner, the left-wing Sumar.

The deal includes the "gradual phasing out" of rubber bullets and reducing disobedience to police officers to a minor offense. Additionally, the reform will end pushbacks at the borders for asylum seekers.

Pro-independence Esquerra, which will co-sign the bill, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, celebrating that "the Socialists have finally agreed to implement this reform."

However, for the law to be approved, it will need the support of several parties, some of which have criticized it.

The left-wing Podemos, whose votes are crucial for the law's approval, argued that the reform falls short.

"Rubber bullets aren't banned and illegal deportations continue. It's a largely cosmetic adjustment that doesn't address the main problems. In short, it bears the hallmark of the Socialists: a big headline with very, very, very little reform," said the party's spokesperson Pablo Fernández.

The pro-independence Junts has also been cautious in expressing support for the law.

The party's spokesperson in Congress, Míriam Nogueras, confirmed that Junts will present its own amendments. However, she stressed that they "have always defended the repeal of this regressive law."

The conservative People's Party, which enacted the law in 2015, accused Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez of "handing over the design of public security policy to a party that disrespects the police and believes that [terrorist group] ETA did the right thing," said PP spokesperson Borja Sémper.