Pro-independence bloc celebrates consensus on parliament deal on amnesty

The Catalan pro-independence parties in parliament celebrated the consensus reached in favor of a deal on amnesty in the Catalan parliament on Friday morning. Esquerra Republicana (ERC), Junts, and CUP passed a vote on the matter, while En Comú Podem also proposed a deal on amnesty but with a different approach. 

All parties considered the eventual law as "a step forward" and a "victory," even though there have been discrepancies regarding self-determination and setting the conditions for an independence referendum. 

Most of the pro-independence bloc has pushed for a deal to have an amnesty law, which would be "a starting point in equal conditions to start a new democratic phase of the independence push," Marta Vilalta, ERC spokesperson in Parliament, said. 

Whatever "democratic" solution is taken needs to include an amnesty and a referendum as these are the "conditions" that the parliament voted in favor of for backing a Socialist prime ministerial bid in Spain. 

"If they want to rule, they need to respect Catalonia and its consensus," Vilalta said in reference to the Socialists. 

For Junts, it is good news that the "bloc of the 52%," in reference to the percentage of votes that pro-independence parties got during the last election in 2021, reached a deal. However, this consensus is just an "anomaly," Mònica Sales, Junts spokesperson, said. 

Far-left CUP also said that amnesty was a "needed consensus" but that it has not been "easy to get to," Dolors Sabater, president of the grassroots organization, said. 

The parliament passed by a majority the deal to only support a Spanish prime ministerial bid if the candidate plans to set conditions for the independence referendum. 

Amnesty a victory 

En Comú Podem also proposed a vote to back an amnesty and asked pro-independence parties not to "disregard a victory." 

"Let us not talk about how epic the loss is. Using Catalan in congress is a victory, certifying Catalan in the European Union institutions will be a victory, and amnesty will be a victory," David Cid, spokesperson of the party, said. 

Division and unconstitutional 

Meanwhile, the Socialists (PSC) considered dialogue as the "only way to get over the division of blocs," Alícia Romero, spokesperson, said. 

"A sudden and whimsical decision (rauxa in Catalan) and the need to be the protagonist cannot win over common sense (seny in Catalan)," she added. 

Other pro-Spanish Unity parties, such as far-right Vox, liberal Ciudadanos, and conservative People's Party (PP), considered amnesty and the referendum "unconstitutional." 

Addressing the Socialists, Vox said it "cannot be possible to negotiate" with those wanting to split Spain. 

The PP also criticized the PSC for setting up a "red carpet for those who want to break Catalonia," Lorena Roldán said. 

Anna Grau, from Ciudadanos, said that the proposals by ERC and Junts were "unconstitutional stink bombs." 

"We will not vote in favor of such deals, and we ask for all the others to do the same," she added.

Spain's government: Elections still possible

The Spanish government warned that a "snap election in January is still possible" despite the vote in Parliament setting the conditions to back a prime ministerial bid on Friday.

Sources said that the Socialists have always said that "we will not accept this," in reference to a referendum.