Thousands of supporters of Spain’s right-wing People’s Party (PP) took to the streets in a mass protest against a potential amnesty for Catalan politicians involved in the 2017 independence referendum. The demonstration in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor was attended by an estimated 80,000 people, according to the government delegate, while the PP claimed a turnout of 500,000.
The proposed amnesty is part of an agreement between the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and Catalan nationalist parties, aiming to secure enough support for PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez in the upcoming investiture vote for the position of Prime Minister. The PP-led protests highlight the deep political divisions over the issue, with previous demonstrations marked by violence and arrests.
The investiture vote is crucial for Sanchez to secure another four-year mandate, maintaining a “progressive government” in Spain.