Spain Amnesty Bill Back To Lower House After Senate Veto

International

15-05-2024, 08:15

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INA- sources

Spain's Senate, which is dominated by the right-wing opposition, on Tuesday vetoed a controversial amnesty bill, returning it to the lower house in a symbolic gesture that won't stop it becoming law.
The opposition Popular Party presented a proposal to veto in relation to the bill to grant amnesty to Catalan separatists involved in the failed 2017 independence bid, which "was approved", with 149 votes in favour to 113 against.
It is only a token show of disapproval as Spain's Senate is not empowered to block a bill, only to propose amendments or a veto.
The bill now returns to the lower house, the Congreso, where it is expected to receive its final green light in the coming weeks.

Tuesday's Senate vote can be lifted by an absolute majority in the lower house within two months, or by just a simple majority once that period of time passes.
The bill seeks to draw a line under years of efforts to prosecute those involved in the botched secession bid that triggered Spain's worst political crisis in decades.
The biggest beneficiary would be Carles Puigdemont -- the former Catalan leader who led the failed secession bid who fled Spain to avoid prosecution.

source: Barron's