A Crucial Weekend
The last weekend of January was shrouded in uncertainty and anticipation. Important Junts leaders admitted that they had not considered the repercussions of voting against the first version of the amnesty law. This decision was justified on the basis of the ‘consistency’ and the ‘requirement’ established in the government agreement with the PSOE for the investiture of Pedro Sánchez, which emphasized the need for total and immediate de-judicialisation.
Waiting for Amnesty
The possibility of a favorable vote by the Joints on the rule of dejudicialization, which had to leave the committee of Justice of the Congress that Wednesday, was surrounded by doubts and uncertainties. This was exacerbated by judicial maneuvers aimed at finding weak points in the amnesty law. This situation highlights the importance of the approval of dejudicialization, considered as the most relevant rule of the legislature.
The Future of the Legislature
The governability of Pedro Sánchez is called into question in the absence of an amnesty. The possibility of governing without the support of Junts becomes an unknown, since the president of the Spanish government has expressed his desire to lead for four years, but he needs the support of Carles Puigdemont to carry out the legislative agenda. The non-approval of budgets and other demands of independence would be affected without the guarantee of an amnesty, endangering the core of the legislature.
The Return of Puigdemont
Despite the judicial difficulties, the possibility of an amnesty in the near future passes through the PSOE, and this should be considered as an opportunity to be taken advantage of. Despite accusations to the contrary, Puigdemont’s return to Catalonia with freedom of movement becomes more feasible with the possibility of an amnesty. Regardless of his judicial situation, it is expected that Puigdemont will be a candidate in the European elections and it is hoped that he will also present himself in the Catalan elections.
Tensions between ERC and Junts
The demand for amnesty has not succeeded in reconciling the two ex-partners. Political coordination has been conspicuous by its absence, despite technical efforts and contacts with lawyers and judges to draft the first drafts of the law. This situation has generated tensions between ERC and Junts, putting at risk the effectiveness of dejudicialization and evidencing the divergences in the negotiation with the PSOE.