Pedro Sanchez re-elected Spanish prime minister as he braves Catalan amnesty row
Pedro Sanchez
Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was re-elected by a majority of legislators to form a new government aftersuccessfully navigatingthe 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.
)
ISRO EOS-05 launch: GSLV to lift heaviest payload in its 25-year flight history
)
Pakistan faces growing hunger crisis amid rising food insecurity
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the glass canopy on the Su-30MKI has a distinct golden tint
)
Houthis target Yemen with ballistic missiles, Yemeni army downs several drones
)
Coast Guard jet carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin makes emergency landing after engine failure
)
The Odyssey star Elliot Page opens up about struggling to land his next acting role after starring in Christopher Nolan film
)
Belgium, latest EU state cautioned by India over arms for Pakistan; gets assurances from Brussels
)
Pakistanis are eating less. What they are eating instead is even more alarming
)
EU and NATO step up pressure on Russia after Germany ‘escalation incidents’
)
Nepal floods: 1,204 dead, 4,216 missing as tearful relatives pray for the missing
)
At least 2 killed in Minneapolis shooting, suspect also dead
)
Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions'
)
J&K medical interns continue fourth-day protest, demand stipend hike to ₹30,000
)
US Mint releases $1 coins featuring Donald Trump, priced up to $154.50
)
Harry Potter and the Philosophers' Stone: New trailer reveals fresh look at Hogwarts, sorting ceremony and iconic moments to life
)
Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy creates history with 350 not out in South Africa
)
Beginning of the end? More glacial lake outbursts threaten millions in India, Nepal and China
)
Man pushes Russian humanoid robot. Watch what happens next
)
Chaos in Ukraine's Kyiv: Zelensky calls shootout between spy services 'absolutely shameful'
)
Husband uses secret camera to record wife’s affair, wins divorce case, ends up in jail for spying
)
Nigerian Navy discovers 99,000 litres of suspected stolen, illegally refined products as it intensifies anti-crude oil theft operations
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How the Su-30MKI flies up to 8,000 kilometres using mid-air refueling
)
Who is Aditi Paudel? 17-year-old becomes Japan's first literacy ambassador
)
WION Exclusive: Hasina says she reads father’s unfinished memoir while planning Dhaka return
)
Trump says he’s ‘happy’ Harry and Meghan left US , calls them disrespectful
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI uses a giant air brake on its back instead of its wings
)
EU bans Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic violation rules
)
Manipur violence: 25 houses torched in Manipur’s Kangpokpi a day after 10 homes were burnt along Imphal-Tamenglong road
)
Report: Egypt eyes new Rafale F4 deal amid air force modernisation push
)
High Xylitol levels in blood linked to cardiovascular risk
)
Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down Pak fighter jet retires, takes up private job
)
No selfies with God, no reels inside: Tamil Nadu CM bans smartphones in temples | Gravitas
)
Earth-Theia collision created the moon in just 5 hours, study shows
)
India's data centre boom: AI boom fuels $31.6 trillion data race
"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.
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.
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)