Spain pardons 9 Catalan separatist leaders

The Spanish government on Tuesday announced that it would pardon nine Catalan separatists jailed for sedition and misuse of public funds for their role in the region's 2017 independence referendum, which had been deemed unconstitutional. 

The men had been serving sentences ranging from nine to 13 years after after their 2019 Supreme Court convictions.

PM says pardons are for good of nation, not all agree

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose office confirmed that "the pardons for those convicted were approved," told Spaniards — more than 60% of whom disagree with the decision according to polls — that they were granted for the good of the nation. 

He said the pardons would help turn the page, becoming the first step in resolving the wealthy northern industrial region's conflict with the central government in Madrid. 

"With this act, we want to open a new stage of dialogue and reconciliation and close once and for all the division and confrontation," he said. 

"The Spanish government has taken this decision because it is the best for Catalonia and for Spain," said Sanchez, noting a desire to "re-establish coexistence and harmony within Catalan society and Spanish society as a whole." 

Nevertheless, it seems neither separatist Catalans were satisfied — saying the move did not go far enough and renewing calls for another independence referendum — nor conservatives in Madrid, who vowed to fight the decision in court.  

Sanchez addressed opposition to the move in his statement, saying: "Although we understand why some people oppose it, the government has chosen to open a path to reconciliation; to coming back together. We think these pardons open that path and will give all of us the chance to start again."

Political opponents accuse Sanchez of playing politics with the nation's justice system because his minority government relies partly on Catalan separatists for support in the national parliament.

Although Catalan's new Regional President Pere Aragones called the pardons, "a first step that needs to be followed by negotiations," Elsa Artadi of the hardline Together for Catalonia party dismissed the move, saying, "If he’s got a proposal, let him come to the [Catalan] parliament so we can vote and decide whether it’s a solution or not."

js/wmr (AFP, Reuters)