Spain on Tuesday pardoned nine Catalan separatist leaders convicted of holding the 2017 independence referendum in an attempt to break the political stalemate in Madrid-Barcelona relations.
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The Chancellery of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Twitter that “the pardon of nine convicts has been confirmed” during the government’s morning session.
Although the date of the release of the pardoned is not yet known, the media report that the justice system has been tasked with settling all administrative procedures as soon as possible, which means that Catalan leaders could be on their feet as soon as possible.
The independence referendum held in 2017 by the Regional Government of Catalonia in defiance of the Madrid ban and the subsequent declaration of independence by the region have led to the deepest political and constitutional crisis since the restoration of democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.
Some Catalan separatist leaders fled abroad after the restoration of direct government in Madrid, but 12 of them had to go to court.
In 2019, the Spanish Supreme Court sentenced them to severe sentences ranging from nine to 13 years in prison for participating in a referendum, finding them guilty of rioting and wasting public funds.
The ruling provoked days of unrest in Catalonia, which often escalated into violence.
Sanchez has expressed hope that the pardon will pave the way for a “settlement”, but his decision is strongly opposed by the right-wing opposition and has also been criticized by Catalan separatists.
Many supporters of Catalan independence see pardon as a political manipulation and call for the full amnesty of convicts, which would allow Catalan leaders abroad to return home.
Experts warn that Sanchez’s decision is politically risky, pointing out that it could ease tensions, but in no way address the issue of Catalonia’s status, which has led to a split in relations between Madrid and Barcelona and between Catalans themselves.
“I am convinced that the release of these nine people, who represent thousands of Catalans, will clearly demonstrate a desire for harmony and coexistence,” Sanchez said on Monday.
In a short televised address to the nation after the decision was made, the prime minister said it was “the best decision for Catalonia and the best decision for Spain. We hope to start a new era of dialogue and build new bridges.”
A recent poll by Ipsos shows that 53% of Spaniards oppose separatist pardons, while 68% of Catalans support it.
The Supreme Court, as well as the right-wing opposition parties, have also spoken out against the pardon.
On June 13, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid to protest against Sanchez’s plan.
Many Conservatives point out that Sanchez’s real goal is to stay in power, because the minority government he leads, which the Socialists form along with the far left, depends to a large extent on the parliamentary support of the Catalan parties.
However, it is not yet clear whether the pardon of Catalan leaders will facilitate dialogue between Madrid and the Catalan regional government, which has been led since May by the moderate nationalist Pere Aragoness, who represents the Catalan Left Republicans (ERC).
Along with former Catalan regional government ministers, former regional parliament speakers and two heads of Catalan nationalist NGOs, those released include ERC leader and former deputy prime minister Urial Junceras, who was sentenced to the most severe sentence of 13 years in prison for rioting and wasting public funds.
However, the pardon only abolished the remaining prison sentences for Catalan leaders, but the ban on holding public office remains in place.
In addition, the Spanish Government has stated that the decision to grant clemency may be revoked in the future if the released people re-engage in efforts to achieve Catalan independence.
“These pardons do not depend on the recipients giving up their views, and we do not expect them to do so,” Sanchez said. “But these people have never been imprisoned for their beliefs, but for the rule of law and our democracy. [normu] infringement. “
In the coming weeks, Sanchez is scheduled to meet for the first time with Aragones, who is much more tolerant of talks with Madrid than his predecessor, the hard-line supporter Kim Torra, who represents the center-right nationalist coalition “Together for Catalonia” (JxCat).
Despite this, Catalan nationalists are unlikely to deviate from the demand for a formal independence referendum, which is categorically rejected by the Sanchez government.
The Council of Europe also expressed support for the pardon in a resolution adopted on Monday evening, but at the same time condemned the Spanish Government for restricting the freedom of expression of Catalan politicians.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry has responded by saying that the separatists have been punished for not following the law and not for supporting Catalan independence.
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