Massive protest in Spain over proposed separatist amnesty law

Madrid: A monumental protest unfolded in Madrid as tens of thousands rallied against a proposed amnesty law for Catalan separatists and activists, a crucial element for the left-wing government's stability in Spain.

Amidst cries of dissent echoing through Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles, approximately 170,000 people, as estimated by police, gathered in defiance of the proposed amnesty law. The protest, backed by right-wing leaders, vehemently opposed the amnesty plan, expressing staunch support for Spain's unity, reported AFP.

Participants of diverse ages flooded the streets, brandishing Spanish and European flags distributed by the European People's Party.

One protester, Maria Angeles Galan, a 65-year-old retiree from Madrid, expressed concerns about the potential fragmentation of Spain, stating, "What Pedro Sanchez wants is to cut Spain into pieces, to have the Basque country on one side and Catalonia on the other, and to say nothing happened."

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in office since 2018, secured reinstatement after July's parliamentary elections by forging alliances with regionalist groups, including Catalan pro-independence parties. To garner their support, Sanchez complied with several demands, notably the adoption of the amnesty bill for separatist figures involved in Catalonia's 2017 secession attempt.

Right-wing leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who secured a victory in the July elections, accused Sanchez of dividing Spaniards, asserting that the protest was a testament to their dissatisfaction with the proposed legislation. Feijoo, critiquing Sanchez's strategy, stated, "They know they don't have the votes to do what they're doing. That's why we're telling them with this demonstration."

Santiago Abascal, the leader of the far-right Vox party, also attended the demonstration, condemning the law as "as serious as a coup d'etat." Notably, Abascal and Feijoo did not attend the protest together, reflecting differing political alliances.

This protest marks an escalating conflict.

The European Union, represented by Brussels, raised concerns over the amnesty bill, seeking clarification from Madrid following significant public engagement on the issue.

The demonstration concluded peacefully after speeches were delivered, although it followed weeks of daily protests at the Socialist Party headquarters, some of which escalated into violence, resulting in multiple arrests.