In a controversial move, the Spanish government has proposed an amnesty bill that seeks to pardon more than 300 individuals linked to the Catalan independence movement. The bill, which aims to cancel "penal, administrative and financial" penalties imposed on individuals involved in the movement between January 2012 and November 2023, has sparked heated debates and faces opposition from the center-right Popular Party.

The proposed amnesty would not modify the laws under which individuals were prosecuted, leaving the possibility open for similar judicial proceedings against those involved in illegal acts linked to separatism in the future. Notably, this would include the failed 2017 Catalan independence referendum, a pivotal event that divided the nation.

One significant group expected to benefit from the amnesty are the 73 police officers who were indicted for acts of violence against protestors in Catalonia during the independence movement. Their inclusion under the proposed bill has been met with criticism from opposition parties.

While the amnesty bill is likely to pass through the lower house of parliament, it is expected to face stiff opposition in the upper house, where the Popular Party holds control. Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has expressed his intent to challenge the bill in the courts, emphasizing that the amnesty was not part of the Socialist Party's electoral program. Some members of the Popular Party, like Miguel Tellado, have even gone so far as to call for new elections.

The preamble of the bill seeks to establish the constitutionality of the proposed amnesty and highlights its compliance with European law by referencing similar measures taken in other EU countries. Examples mentioned include Portugal's amnesty for young offenders during Pope Francis' visit and France's 1988 amnesty for Melanesian separatists in New Caledonia.

Supporters of the bill argue that it reflects a growing social consensus that political conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and politics, rather than through repression or the judicial process. Xavier Antich, the president of Catalan civil society association Òmnium, has praised the unity shown by so many parties in support of the bill. However, Antich acknowledged the potential challenges ahead, noting that it will likely be a long time before anyone takes advantage of the amnesty, especially figures like Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan president who has been in self-imposed exile in Belgium since the 2017 independence vote.

As the bill progresses through parliament, it is expected to face opposition from members of the judiciary who may interpret the law differently, prolonging the legal battles. The uncertainties surrounding the implementation of the amnesty raise questions about its effectiveness and the potential risks for those seeking to return to Spain.

Correction: A previous version of this article inaccurately stated that the amnesty bill was filed by a coalition of left-wing and separatist parties. The bill was solely filed by the Socialists, although several parties have pledged their support for the proposal.