ALBAWABA - Earlier today, the Spanish Parliament announced passing a controversial bill that would pave the way for the return of separatist Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont after years of self-imposed exile.
The resolution was opposed by the right and far-right members of the parliament. However, it was passed by 177 votes in favor to 172 votes against in the 350-seat parliament. There were no abstentions but one person was absent from the vote.
The bill, which offers amnesty to hundreds of separatists participating in Catalonia's unsuccessful 2017 independence campaign, was approved by the lower house of the Spanish parliament in March.
Following that, it was sent to the right-wing opposition-dominated Senate upper parliament, where it was figuratively vetoed, because the Senate may only suggest changes to a measure, not veto it outright, before being returned to the lower house on Thursday morning.
The law passed after a boisterous two and a half hours of debate, during which the Speaker had to repeatedly declare a halt to the insults being exchanged on the floor.
Puigdemont, the former leader of Catalonia who led the attempt before leaving Spain to avoid prosecution, will stand to gain the most benefit from the amnesty bill.
Both the moderate ERC and the hardline separatist JxCat wanted the amnesty in exchange for their votes in November that allowed Sanchez to win a second four-year term.
Thousands of people have participated in large-scale anti-bill rallies against it, some of which have been violent, especially in the area surrounding the Socialists' Madrid headquarters.
A PP official earlier this week said that the party will use all available means, including mass pressure and petitions to the Constitutional Court, to "overturn" the bill even if it is passed.
With his party's popularity growing throughout the election, Puigdemont has expressed his desire to head an administration that supports minorities' rights. He hopes to return home in time to see the inauguration of a new Catalan government.
The exact date is yet unknown, although it is anticipated to happen no later than June 25. However, it is uncertain if that will be feasible considering the two-month period allowed the courts to implement the law, which calls for the release of everyone detained and the revocation of all active arrest warrants, including Puigdemont's.
