Spanish amnesty law advances after EU court backing

The Spanish amnesty law for Catalan separatists has moved forward significantly after the European Court of Justice (TJUE) upheld its compatibility with EU law. The Constitutional Court (TC) has dismissed all 22 appeals against the law, while the Supreme Court has begun applying it to eight individuals convicted for disobedience or public disorder related to the 2017 independence bid. Source: abces

Key developments

• The Generalitat de Catalunya, led by Salvador Illa, formally asked the Tribunal de Cuentas to apply the amnesty to around 30 former officials—including Carles Puigdemont and Artur Mas—and lift the €5.4 million in guarantees deposited. Source: lavanguardia The Tribunal de Cuentas had reactivated the case, asking parties to clarify if EU funds were used, a move Puigdemont's lawyer called an “obstructionist strategy.” Source: elconfidencial Puigdemont has filed a new complaint with the European Commission over the delay. Source: euronewses
• Politically, the PP expects to cooperate more with Junts in Congress following the amnesty's judicial green light, as Junts no longer needs the PSOE for this issue. Source: infobae However, Junts leader Antoni Castellà ruled out pacts with the PP, stating “if they could, they would put us in prison.” Source: lavanguardia
• The Constitutional Court has set September 22 to examine the first appeal on applying amnesty to the crime of embezzlement, which could affect leaders like Oriol Junqueras and Puigdemont. Source: elespanol