Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has secured a majority of lawmakers to form a new government, as 179 legislators back him in the 350-seat lower house of parliament. Sanchez’s success comes after he agreed to a controversial amnesty deal for Catalonia’s separatists in return for vital support from six smaller parties. The deal would pardon hundreds of separatists, including former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont, who is wanted by Spanish law.
The centre-right Popular Party won the most votes in the national elections on July 23, but fell short of forming a government due to its alliance with the far-right Vox party. The Socialists, who finished second, secured the necessary support from smaller parties, including the left-wing Sumar party, to form a minority coalition government.
The amnesty deal has sparked heated controversy, with the judiciary and the European Union reviewing the proposal and right-wing opposition parties accusing Sanchez of betraying the nation. Street protests, backed by the Popular Party and Vox, have turned ugly in recent days, with protesters outside the Socialist party’s headquarters in Madrid being arrested.
Socialist Pedro Sanchez (Via Pedro Sanchez/Twitter)
Despite the opposition, Sanchez remains confident that he has the support to form a government. “The only real reproach that the right makes against us is that with these agreements we will have won the government. Which is what is going to happen today,” he said prior to the vote.
Sanchez’s party leader is expected to be sworn in as the new prime minister before King Felipe VI on Friday. However, the success of the amnesty deal remains uncertain, with the judiciary and the European Union due to review the proposal further.
