In pics | Biggest protest in Spain against Catalan amnesty law draws 170,000

Spain's Socialists have reached a deal with the Catalan separatist Junts party for government support, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Thursday, a pact which could draw strong criticism if it involves amnesties for separatist activists.

The Socialist Party (PSOE) did not immediately respond to request for comment, while a spokesman for Junts declined to comment. Asked about a deal, Acting Economy Minister Nadia Calviño said on Thursday: "I hope we have a government as soon as possible."

Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his Socialist Party are trying to form a government after a July&nbsp;election&nbsp;produced no outright winner.

He reached a&nbsp;deal&nbsp;to govern in coalition with the hard left Sumar platform last month but also needs several other smaller parties - who have supported him in the past - to back him in an investiture vote that could take place as soon as next week.

Junts has said during negotiations that it would give its seven votes in parliament in exchange for an amnesty law that could exculpate as many as&nbsp;1,400 activists&nbsp;and politicians involved in a failed attempt to separate Catalonia from the rest of Spain that reached a head in 2017.

The potential&nbsp;amnesty&nbsp;has met fierce condemnation from Sanchez's conservative opponents who have organised large&nbsp;protests&nbsp;and accused him of putting the rule of law in Spain on the line for his own political gain.

Reacting to the news of a deal on Thursday, the main opposition centre-right People's Party spokesman Cuca Gamarra said Spain was looking at "a shameful and humiliating deal," while the popular - and populist - PP Madrid leader Isabel Ayuso told Antena 3 TV station: "I am worried that we are becoming a dictatorship."

<h2 data-testid="Heading">'Serious concerns' about amnesty plan&nbsp;</h2>

On Wednesday, the European Commission's Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders wrote to the Spanish government asking for more details about the amnesty agreement being negotiated.

"Serious concerns are now being voiced as regards ongoing discussions on the possible adoption of an amnesty law," he wrote in a letter to Spanish Presidency Minister Felipe Bolanos.

"While for the time being there is no formal proposal, this has become a matter of considerable importance in the public debate and the Commission has been contacted on this matter, including by a large number of citizens."

Bolanos responded on Wednesday, saying: "Should an amnesty bill be registered [in parliament], be assured that we will explain to you all the details of such a law, as well as the position of our government."

The potential amnesty has also drawn&nbsp;fire&nbsp;from Spanish judges who warned this week it could undermine the rule of law - a shot across the bows for a law that Catalan separatist parties fear could be watered down by judges in its implementation in individual cases, regardless of what the socialists and Junts agree.

Pablo Simon, a political expert at the Carlos III University in Madrid, said that fear was legitimate.

"Unlike the pardons which the governments gave out to (individual) Catalan separatists, the amnesty law will take much longer to be processed, going through parliament, with each case reviewed by judges," he told TVE television on Thursday.

Spain's Socialists have reached a deal with the Catalan separatist Junts party for government support, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Thursday, a pact which could draw strong criticism if it involves amnesties for separatist activists.

Spain's Socialists have reached a deal with the Catalan separatist Junts party for government support, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Thursday, a pact which could draw strong criticism if it involves amnesties for separatist activists. The Socialist Party (PSOE) did not immediately respond to request for comment, while a spokesman for Junts declined to comment. Asked about a deal, Acting Economy Minister Nadia Calviño said on Thursday: "I hope we have a government as soon as possible." Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his Socialist Party are trying to form a government after a July election produced no outright winner. He reached a deal to govern in coalition with the hard left Sumar platform last month but also needs several other smaller parties - who have supported him in the past - to back him in an investiture vote that could take place as soon as next week. Junts has said during negotiations that it would give its seven votes in parliament in exchange for an amnesty law that could exculpate as many as 1,400 activists and politicians involved in a failed attempt to separate Catalonia from the rest of Spain that reached a head in 2017. The potential amnesty has met fierce condemnation from Sanchez's conservative opponents who have organised large protests and accused him of putting the rule of law in Spain on the line for his own political gain. Reacting to the news of a deal on Thursday, the main opposition centre-right People's Party spokesman Cuca Gamarra said Spain was looking at "a shameful and humiliating deal," while the popular - and populist - PP Madrid leader Isabel Ayuso told Antena 3 TV station: "I am worried that we are becoming a dictatorship." 'Serious concerns' about amnesty plan On Wednesday, the European Commission's Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders wrote to the Spanish government asking for more details about the amnesty agreement being negotiated. "Serious concerns are now being voiced as regards ongoing discussions on the possible adoption of an amnesty law," he wrote in a letter to Spanish Presidency Minister Felipe Bolanos. "While for the time being there is no formal proposal, this has become a matter of considerable importance in the public debate and the Commission has been contacted on this matter, including by a large number of citizens." Bolanos responded on Wednesday, saying: "Should an amnesty bill be registered [in parliament], be assured that we will explain to you all the details of such a law, as well as the position of our government." The potential amnesty has also drawn fire from Spanish judges who warned this week it could undermine the rule of law - a shot across the bows for a law that Catalan separatist parties fear could be watered down by judges in its implementation in individual cases, regardless of what the socialists and Junts agree. Pablo Simon, a political expert at the Carlos III University in Madrid, said that fear was legitimate. "Unlike the pardons which the governments gave out to (individual) Catalan separatists, the amnesty law will take much longer to be processed, going through parliament, with each case reviewed by judges," he told TVE television on Thursday.

Spanish Socialists reach deal with Catalan separatist party for government support: Report

In pics | Around 40,000 Spaniards protest against amnesty for Catalan separatists

The European Union's General Court on Wednesday (July 5) stripped the leader of Catalonia's failed bid for independence from the legal immunity he had as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) as he faces legal procedures in Spain.

The decision is a blow for Carles Puigdemont, who lives in self-imposed exile in Belgium, because it could pave the way for him to eventually be extradited to Spain, as Spanish authorities have requested for the past six years.

He fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution following a short-lived declaration of independence that prompted Madrid to take direct control of the wealthy region.

In its ruling, the Luxembourg-based court rejected the appeal filed by Puigdemont and backed the European Parliament's decision to waive his immunity and that of two other self-exiled Catalan separatist MEPs, Toni Comin and Clara Ponsati.

"The Parliament cannot adopt decisions to defend immunity which produce binding legal effects with regard to the Spanish judicial authorities," the court said.

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Puigdemont said on Twitter the three MEPs would appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

"We will defend our fundamental rights until the end," he tweeted.

In January, Spain's Supreme Court dropped sedition charges against Puigdemont after a reform of the country's penal code abolished the crime.

However, he still faces charges of disobedience and embezzlement, which carry jail terms of up to eight years. Sedition carried a maximum jail term of 15 years.

Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena said he would submit a new extradition request to Belgian authorities for Puigdemont to face trial on the lesser charges, depending on the EU courts' rulings.

Spain's previous attempts to have Puigdemont extradited during his stays in Germany, Belgium and Italy have failed.

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Spain amended its penal code last year to remove the old sedition law under which some separatist politicians were sentenced to up to 13 years in prison after Catalonia's failed 2017 bid for independence. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez later pardoned those convicted over the events.

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The European Union's General Court on Wednesday (July 5) stripped the leader of Catalonia's failed bid for independence from the legal immunity he had as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) as he faces legal procedures in Spain.

The European Union's General Court on Wednesday (July 5) stripped the leader of Catalonia's failed bid for independence from the legal immunity he had as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) as he faces legal procedures in Spain. The decision is a blow for Carles Puigdemont, who lives in self-imposed exile in Belgium, because it could pave the way for him to eventually be extradited to Spain, as Spanish authorities have requested for the past six years. He fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution following a short-lived declaration of independence that prompted Madrid to take direct control of the wealthy region. In its ruling, the Luxembourg-based court rejected the appeal filed by Puigdemont and backed the European Parliament's decision to waive his immunity and that of two other self-exiled Catalan separatist MEPs, Toni Comin and Clara Ponsati. "The Parliament cannot adopt decisions to defend immunity which produce binding legal effects with regard to the Spanish judicial authorities," the court said. Also read | Russia claims Ukraine attacked Moscow with at least five drones Puigdemont said on Twitter the three MEPs would appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union. "We will defend our fundamental rights until the end," he tweeted. In January, Spain's Supreme Court dropped sedition charges against Puigdemont after a reform of the country's penal code abolished the crime. However, he still faces charges of disobedience and embezzlement, which carry jail terms of up to eight years. Sedition carried a maximum jail term of 15 years. Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena said he would submit a new extradition request to Belgian authorities for Puigdemont to face trial on the lesser charges, depending on the EU courts' rulings. Spain's previous attempts to have Puigdemont extradited during his stays in Germany, Belgium and Italy have failed. Also read | Is social media responsible for fueling the riots in France? Spain amended its penal code last year to remove the old sedition law under which some separatist politicians were sentenced to up to 13 years in prison after Catalonia's failed 2017 bid for independence. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez later pardoned those convicted over the events. WATCH WION LIVE HERE :

EU court strips Catalan separatist leader's immunity as MEP

Spain's prime minister&nbsp;Pedro Sanchez whose minority government has struggled to pass a budget since taking office in June said in an interview published Sunday that he intends to stay in power until the current parliamentary term ends in 2020.

Spanish voters go to the polls on May 26, 2019, for municipal, regional and European elections and there has been speculation that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez could call a snap general election for the same day, ahead of the 2020 scheduled date especially if he fails to approve a budget for next year.

"Obviously the budget is very important for any government. I want to fight for it to be approved during the first quarter of the year," he told Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia.

"When the elections are called it will not be in the interests of the party, but for the public interest. And my goal is to see out the legislature," he added.

His comments come after Sanchez and the head of the separatist regional government of Catalonia, Quim Torra, last week pledged fresh dialogue to try to resolve a dispute over the wealthy northeastern region's status within Spain, raising hopes that Catalan separatist parties will back the government's 2019 budget.

With only 84 Socialist deputies to help steer legislation through a 350-seat parliament, Sanchez's government relies on the support of Catalan separatist parties to pass legislation.

Sanchez came to power in June in after a surprise no-confidence vote against his conservative predecessor, with the support of Catalan separatist parties.

But those parties have refused to back the budget after public prosecutors in November called for stiff penalties for 18 Catalan leaders facing trial over their role in Catalonia's failed independence bid last year.

Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez whose minority government has struggled to pass a budget since taking office in June said in an interview published Sunday that he intends to stay in power until the current parliamentary term ends in 2020.

Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez whose minority government has struggled to pass a budget since taking office in June said in an interview published Sunday that he intends to stay in power until the current parliamentary term ends in 2020. Spanish voters go to the polls on May 26, 2019, for municipal, regional and European elections and there has been speculation that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez could call a snap general election for the same day, ahead of the 2020 scheduled date especially if he fails to approve a budget for next year. "Obviously the budget is very important for any government. I want to fight for it to be approved during the first quarter of the year," he told Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia. "When the elections are called it will not be in the interests of the party, but for the public interest. And my goal is to see out the legislature," he added. His comments come after Sanchez and the head of the separatist regional government of Catalonia, Quim Torra, last week pledged fresh dialogue to try to resolve a dispute over the wealthy northeastern region's status within Spain, raising hopes that Catalan separatist parties will back the government's 2019 budget. With only 84 Socialist deputies to help steer legislation through a 350-seat parliament, Sanchez's government relies on the support of Catalan separatist parties to pass legislation. Sanchez came to power in June in after a surprise no-confidence vote against his conservative predecessor, with the support of Catalan separatist parties. But those parties have refused to back the budget after public prosecutors in November called for stiff penalties for 18 Catalan leaders facing trial over their role in Catalonia's failed independence bid last year.

Spain PM Sanchez says he aims to see out parliamentary term

Spain's Socialist Party on Saturday pledged to hold new elections within months if its attempt to unseat Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy with a parliamentary no-confidence vote succeeds.

The country's biggest opposition party, led by Pedro Sanchez, filed the motion seeking Rajoy's ouster in the 350-seat lower house of parliament on Friday.

No date has been set for the vote, but the bid is being taken seriously in Madrid where a legislative election is not due for another two years.

The surprise move came a day after Rajoy's Popular Party (PP) was found guilty of benefiting from illegal funds in a massive graft trial.

"The PP leadership is concerned and does not totally rule out that the number of votes needed to overturn the government could be found," the La Razon newspaper, considered close to the PP, said on Saturday.

The Socialists also clarified their strategy on Saturday.

If Sanchez can get the absolute majority required in parliament and replace Rajoy, the party intends "to govern for the amount of time it considers appropriate (and) then call an election" after "some months", said one of his spokespeople, the former culture minister Carmen Calvo.&nbsp

The Socialists can already count on the support of anti-establishment Podemos but would need to convince Catalan separatists and Basque nationalists -- or the liberal Ciudadanos party -- to ensure a majority.

Rajoy's allies Ciudadanos, who have overtaken the PP in some recent polls thanks to a hard line on Catalan separatism, immediately said it would oppose the no-confidence motion and instead called for snap polls.

Ciudadanos number two Jose Manuel Villegas said Saturday that he was ready to talk to the Socialists about "another way of calling elections immediately".

Analysts said Ciudadanos has no reason to support a no-confidence motion that could lead to an alternative leftwing government headed by the Socialists.

Judas of Spanish politics

The Basque Nationalist Party has promised to "study the proposal", its president Andoni Ortuzar said Saturday, questioning if the no-confidence move was "serious and viable" or just electioneering.

Rajoy, a devoted Real Madrid fan, cancelled his trip to the Champions League final in Kiev to deal with the crisis and his lieutenants counter-attacked in the media.

"Pedro Sanchez will go down in history like the Judas of Spanish politics," said PP's Fernando Martinez-Maillo, accusing the Socialist leader of seeking power on the back of "separatists who want to destroy Spain".

Spain's National Court said Thursday it had uncovered a vast system of bribes given to former PP officials in exchange for lucrative public contracts between 1999 and 2005.

The court sentenced 29 people to jail for a total of 351 years for corruption, embezzlement and money laundering in the so-called Gurtel trial.

The PP itself was not on trial for direct involvement in the scheme but was found to have benefited from funds obtained illegally through "an authentic and efficient system of institutional corruption" including a slush fund. It was ordered to pay back 245,000 euros ($290,000).

The country's biggest opposition party, led by Pedro Sanchez, filed the motion seeking Rajoy's ouster in the 350-seat lower house of parliament on Friday

Spain's Socialist Party on Saturday pledged to hold new elections within months if its attempt to unseat Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy with a parliamentary no-confidence vote succeeds. The country's biggest opposition party, led by Pedro Sanchez, filed the motion seeking Rajoy's ouster in the 350-seat lower house of parliament on Friday. No date has been set for the vote, but the bid is being taken seriously in Madrid where a legislative election is not due for another two years. The surprise move came a day after Rajoy's Popular Party (PP) was found guilty of benefiting from illegal funds in a massive graft trial. "The PP leadership is concerned and does not totally rule out that the number of votes needed to overturn the government could be found," the La Razon newspaper, considered close to the PP, said on Saturday. The Socialists also clarified their strategy on Saturday. If Sanchez can get the absolute majority required in parliament and replace Rajoy, the party intends "to govern for the amount of time it considers appropriate (and) then call an election" after "some months", said one of his spokespeople, the former culture minister Carmen Calvo. The Socialists can already count on the support of anti-establishment Podemos but would need to convince Catalan separatists and Basque nationalists -- or the liberal Ciudadanos party -- to ensure a majority. Rajoy's allies Ciudadanos, who have overtaken the PP in some recent polls thanks to a hard line on Catalan separatism, immediately said it would oppose the no-confidence motion and instead called for snap polls. Ciudadanos number two Jose Manuel Villegas said Saturday that he was ready to talk to the Socialists about "another way of calling elections immediately". Analysts said Ciudadanos has no reason to support a no-confidence motion that could lead to an alternative leftwing government headed by the Socialists. Judas of Spanish politics The Basque Nationalist Party has promised to "study the proposal", its president Andoni Ortuzar said Saturday, questioning if the no-confidence move was "serious and viable" or just electioneering. Rajoy, a devoted Real Madrid fan, cancelled his trip to the Champions League final in Kiev to deal with the crisis and his lieutenants counter-attacked in the media. "Pedro Sanchez will go down in history like the Judas of Spanish politics," said PP's Fernando Martinez-Maillo, accusing the Socialist leader of seeking power on the back of "separatists who want to destroy Spain". Spain's National Court said Thursday it had uncovered a vast system of bribes given to former PP officials in exchange for lucrative public contracts between 1999 and 2005. The court sentenced 29 people to jail for a total of 351 years for corruption, embezzlement and money laundering in the so-called Gurtel trial. The PP itself was not on trial for direct involvement in the scheme but was found to have benefited from funds obtained illegally through "an authentic and efficient system of institutional corruption" including a slush fund. It was ordered to pay back 245,000 euros ($290,000).

Spain's Socialists vow election in months if PM loses no-confidence vote

Catalonia-born Pep Guardiola, who wore a yellow ribbon on his grey jumper in the post-match press conference at Wembley defended his intent to wear a yellow ribbon in support of jailed Catalan independence leaders after his side beat Arsenal 3-0 to win the League Cup final on Sunday.

The Football Association on Friday charged Guardiola, saying the symbol sported by the former Barcelona boss on his jacket broke its rules.

Former Barcelona coach said, &quot;Before I&#39;m a manager I&#39;m a human being. I am a person.&quot;

He mentioned Britain&#39;s exit from European Union and said, &quot;You did the Brexit you let the people make an opinion. You allowed Scotland to make a referendum about if they want to stay or not and after the people voted. That is what they are asking.&quot;

Guardiola sympathised with the jailed Catalan leader and said, &quot;They are in prevention jail right now. So go out and after maybe be judged okay but they are (in jail) for more than 145 days. You know everybody is innocent until the judge proves you are guilty and they aren&#39;t being judged.&quot;

Guardiola was charged by the FA for wearing a political message.

The Football Association on Friday charged Guardiola, saying the symbol sported by the former Barcelona boss on his jacket broke its rules

Catalonia-born Pep Guardiola, who wore a yellow ribbon on his grey jumper in the post-match press conference at Wembley defended his intent to wear a yellow ribbon in support of jailed Catalan independence leaders after his side beat Arsenal 3-0 to win the League Cup final on Sunday. The Football Association on Friday charged Guardiola, saying the symbol sported by the former Barcelona boss on his jacket broke its rules. Former Barcelona coach said, "Before I'm a manager I'm a human being. I am a person." He mentioned Britain's exit from European Union and said, "You did the Brexit you let the people make an opinion. You allowed Scotland to make a referendum about if they want to stay or not and after the people voted. That is what they are asking." Guardiola sympathised with the jailed Catalan leader and said, "They are in prevention jail right now. So go out and after maybe be judged okay but they are (in jail) for more than 145 days. You know everybody is innocent until the judge proves you are guilty and they aren't being judged." Guardiola was charged by the FA for wearing a political message.

Pep Guardiola defends wearing Catalan support ribbon

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