The PP seeks to internationalize its indignation over Pedro Sánchez’s investiture pacts and the amnesty law
The Popular Party (PP) is not giving up in its attempt to gain international support for its arguments against Pedro Sánchez’s investiture pacts and the amnesty law in Spain. The objective of the PP is to internationalize its indignation and to question the suitability of these agreements and laws in the European institutions. However, the results of this attempt have been unsuccessful so far.
The European Commission and the Venice Commission avoid taking sides
Both the European Commission and the Venice Commission have avoided taking sides in this debate. The European Commission has stated that it is evaluating the law and is in contact with the Spanish authorities, but has not issued a clear opinion on its suitability. On the other hand, the Venice Commission has recalled that amnesty laws are a legitimate tool to achieve social and political reconciliation, but they have emphasized the importance of being approved by a qualified majority.
Positions of the different parliamentary groups
The different parliamentary groups have expressed their predictable positions on this issue. The PP MEP, Javier Zarzalejos, has described the amnesty law as a ‘self-amnesty’ and has stated that it does not seek social reconciliation. On the other hand, the German Social Democrat MEP, Birgit Sippel, has regretted that this debate is constantly repeated in the Eurochamber and has criticized the PP for bringing its partisan battles to this institution.
Position of the Greens and Junts
MEPs from the Greens and Junts have defended the amnesty as a democratic tool and criticized the Spanish right for ‘setting the country on fire’ and ‘doing scorched earth politics’. The republican MEP Diana Riba has claimed the amnesty as a tool for reconciliation and has labeled the entire judicial process of the Trial as a ‘very serious error of the Spanish judicial system’.