Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was re-elected by a majority of legislators to form a new government after&nbsp;successfully navigating&nbsp;the controversy over providing amnesty to Catalonia’s separatists.

During a parliamentary vote on Thursday (Nov 16),&nbsp;179 of the 350 members backed Sanchez, who has been in power since 2018.

Sánchez cemented his position after gaining support from six smaller parties, including two Catalan separatist parties, in recent weeks.

Sanchez received their backing after he agreed to grant amnesty to hundreds of people facing legal action for their role in Catalonia's separatist movement over the past decade.

<h2>Spanish PM defends move&nbsp;</h2>

During the two-day parliamentary debate preceding the vote, the Spanish leader defended his move, arguing it was constitutional and necessary to "heal the wounds" opened by the wealthy northeastern region's independence push.

"We will guarantee the unity of Spain through dialogue and forgiveness," the 51-year-old said.

The amnesty scheme announced by Sanchez had triggered massive protests across the Spanish streets, with nightly protests that attracted far-right activists turning violent.

Before Thursday’s votes, protestors gathered around the parliament, some hurling eggs at Socialist politicians.

<h2>Two-day session centered around amnesty to&nbsp; Catalan separatists</h2>

During the debate, the opposition slammed Sanchez saying that the amnesty scheme was nothing but a political gamble adopted by him to remain in power and accused him of trampling on the rule of law.

"Adopting measures that go against the general interest in exchange of personal benefit is political corruption," the leader of the conservative Popular Party (PP), Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said during the debate.

The general elections on July 23 had thrown a highly fractured parliament.

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The centre-right Popular Party received the most votes in the elections but fell short of the majority to form a government because of its alliances with the far-right Vox party, which finished third.

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The Sanchez-backed Socialist party finished second with 121 seats.

The speaker of the house will apprise King Felipe VI of the result. Once published in the State Gazette, Sánchez will be sworn as the new prime minister before the king, most likely on Friday, reported AP news agency.

(With inputs from agencies)

Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was re-elected by a majority of legislators to form a new government after successfully navigating the controversy over providing amnesty to Catalonia’s separatists.

Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was re-elected by a majority of legislators to form a new government after successfully navigating the controversy over providing amnesty to Catalonia’s separatists. During a parliamentary vote on Thursday (Nov 16), 179 of the 350 members backed Sanchez, who has been in power since 2018. Sánchez cemented his position after gaining support from six smaller parties, including two Catalan separatist parties, in recent weeks. Sanchez received their backing after he agreed to grant amnesty to hundreds of people facing legal action for their role in Catalonia's separatist movement over the past decade. Spanish PM defends move During the two-day parliamentary debate preceding the vote, the Spanish leader defended his move, arguing it was constitutional and necessary to "heal the wounds" opened by the wealthy northeastern region's independence push. "We will guarantee the unity of Spain through dialogue and forgiveness," the 51-year-old said. The amnesty scheme announced by Sanchez had triggered massive protests across the Spanish streets, with nightly protests that attracted far-right activists turning violent. Before Thursday’s votes, protestors gathered around the parliament, some hurling eggs at Socialist politicians. Two-day session centered around amnesty to Catalan separatists During the debate, the opposition slammed Sanchez saying that the amnesty scheme was nothing but a political gamble adopted by him to remain in power and accused him of trampling on the rule of law. "Adopting measures that go against the general interest in exchange of personal benefit is political corruption," the leader of the conservative Popular Party (PP), Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said during the debate. The general elections on July 23 had thrown a highly fractured parliament. Also read | Canada won’t start trade talks unless India cooperates in Nijjar killing probe The centre-right Popular Party received the most votes in the elections but fell short of the majority to form a government because of its alliances with the far-right Vox party, which finished third. Also read | Biden calls Xi 'dictator' right after 'constructive' US-China strategic meet The Sanchez-backed Socialist party finished second with 121 seats. The speaker of the house will apprise King Felipe VI of the result. Once published in the State Gazette, Sánchez will be sworn as the new prime minister before the king, most likely on Friday, reported AP news agency. (With inputs from agencies)

Pedro Sanchez re-elected Spanish prime minister as he braves Catalan amnesty row

Amnesty International has had a troubled relationship with every kind of government in India. Both under the BJP and the Congress, this group has been subjected to scrutiny and investigation. And this is not the first time it has had to shut shop.

The BJP-led government in India has launched an investigation into Amnesty.

“There are NGOs, often funded from the United States and the Scandinavian countries, which are not fully appreciative of the development challenges that our country faces”, Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India made this statement in 2012. His government was battling protests against the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/to-circumvent-fcra-amnesty-remitted-large-amounts-of-money-to-entities-in-india-by-classifying-it-as-fdi-home-ministry-331190" hreflang="en">To circumvent FCRA, Amnesty remitted large amounts of money to entities in India by classifying it as FDI: Home ministry</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-amnestys-troubled-relationship-with-india-331289/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

At that time, Amnesty alongside a few other organisations was involved with the campaigners in Tamil Nadu. In 2012, the then Union Minister V Narayanasamy said these protesters had received more than 55 crore rupees from foreign sources.

His statement came after a special home ministry team investigated three local NGOs. Amnesty wasn't one of them, but the organisation remained under scrutiny.

Two years later, in February 2014, the UPA government froze Amnesty India's funding. It was then barred from receiving nearly half a million dollars from its parent organisation.

Allegedly, a part of this payment was traced to an offshore trust set up by a gambling tycoon convicted of fraud in the US. Six years later, Amnesty India says its accounts have been frozen.

Not the first time

In 2009, Amnesty had to close its offices in India after it was denied permission under the FRCA or the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.

Amnesty somehow made a comeback. But, it faced more scrutiny - not just from the central government, but even a state government.

In 2016, the Karnataka government, under the Congress filed a case of sedition against Amnesty. The matter went to court, and three years later, a local judge closed the case. Amnesty was not found guilty.&nbsp;

Amnesty has had some strange bedfellows

In 2010, it was revealed that Amnesty is actively collaborating with Moazzam Megg - a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, often described as “Britain's most famous supporter of Taliban".

Gita Sahgal, the great niece of former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru used to work for Amnesty back then. Sahgal questioned the collaboration with Begg. That criticism&nbsp; led to her exit from Amnesty.

Amnesty's offshoot in India has been embroiled in controversies, irrespective of which government has been in power. Amnesty’s comeback in India could be tricky. Even if it does come back, it may not be a smooth sailing.

Amnesty International has had a troubled relationship with every kind of government in India. Both under the BJP and the Congress, this group has been subjected to scrutiny and investigation.

Amnesty International has had a troubled relationship with every kind of government in India. Both under the BJP and the Congress, this group has been subjected to scrutiny and investigation. And this is not the first time it has had to shut shop. The BJP-led government in India has launched an investigation into Amnesty. “There are NGOs, often funded from the United States and the Scandinavian countries, which are not fully appreciative of the development challenges that our country faces”, Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India made this statement in 2012. His government was battling protests against the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu. Also read: To circumvent FCRA, Amnesty remitted large amounts of money to entities in India by classifying it as FDI: Home ministry At that time, Amnesty alongside a few other organisations was involved with the campaigners in Tamil Nadu. In 2012, the then Union Minister V Narayanasamy said these protesters had received more than 55 crore rupees from foreign sources. His statement came after a special home ministry team investigated three local NGOs. Amnesty wasn't one of them, but the organisation remained under scrutiny. Two years later, in February 2014, the UPA government froze Amnesty India's funding. It was then barred from receiving nearly half a million dollars from its parent organisation. Allegedly, a part of this payment was traced to an offshore trust set up by a gambling tycoon convicted of fraud in the US. Six years later, Amnesty India says its accounts have been frozen. Not the first time In 2009, Amnesty had to close its offices in India after it was denied permission under the FRCA or the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. Amnesty somehow made a comeback. But, it faced more scrutiny - not just from the central government, but even a state government. In 2016, the Karnataka government, under the Congress filed a case of sedition against Amnesty. The matter went to court, and three years later, a local judge closed the case. Amnesty was not found guilty. Amnesty has had some strange bedfellows In 2010, it was revealed that Amnesty is actively collaborating with Moazzam Megg - a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, often described as “Britain's most famous supporter of Taliban". Gita Sahgal, the great niece of former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru used to work for Amnesty back then. Sahgal questioned the collaboration with Begg. That criticism led to her exit from Amnesty. Amnesty's offshoot in India has been embroiled in controversies, irrespective of which government has been in power. Amnesty’s comeback in India could be tricky. Even if it does come back, it may not be a smooth sailing.

Amnesty International and its trajectory of trouble in India

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Pedro Sanchez re-elected Spanish prime minister as he braves Catalan amnesty row

Amnesty International and its trajectory of trouble in India