Spain's state of alarm extended until May 9, 2021

Socialist-led government proposal that grants emergency powers to regional governments divides both pro-independence and unionist camps

Spain's health minister, Salvador Illa, defending the state of alarm in Congress on October 29, 2020 (by Spanish Congress)
Spain's health minister, Salvador Illa, defending the state of alarm in Congress on October 29, 2020 (by Spanish Congress) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

October 29, 2020 03:49 PM

Spain's state of alarm will last until May 9, 2021, as the government in Madrid had planned.

An extension to 15-day emergency finishing on November 9 had to be greenlighted by the Spanish Congress, and that is what happened on Thursday afternoon.

The left-wing executive was supported by several parties including pro-independence ERC and PDeCAT, as well as the Basque Nationalist Party.

Yet, not all the lawmakers in favor of a Catalan Republic supported it: Junts per Catalunya and CUP abstained.

The unionist camp was also divided, with Ciudadanos supporting the measure, the People's Party abstaining and far-right Vox voting against.