Spanish lawmakers debate new term for Sanchez amid protests over amnesty offer

Spanish lawmakers started debating a new term on Wednesday for acting premier Pedro Sanchez, whose offer of an amnesty to Catalan separatists in return for support has roused protests. Having won the backing of Catalan separatist parties Junts and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), and other regional parties, Sanchez's Socialists (PSOE) say he has enough support to win a vote scheduled for Thursday.

Spanish lawmakers started debating a new term on Wednesday for acting premier Pedro Sanchez, whose offer of an amnesty to Catalan separatists in return for support has roused protests.

Having won the backing of Catalan separatist parties Junts and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), and other regional parties, Sanchez's Socialists (PSOE) say he has enough support to win a vote scheduled for Thursday. "There is no prosperity in discord, we have to make a push for coexistence and forgiveness," Sanchez told lawmakers in Madrid.

He defended the amnesty bill, which the opposition labelled unconstitutional. "We are convinced that a united Spain is a better Spain," he said, causing visible discomfort among some of the Catalan separatists, who still hope for independence for the wealthy region via a referendum.

Right-wing opposition lawmakers called out "shameless" and "liar" as Sanchez spoke, causing the house speaker to intervene. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the conservative People's Party (PP), accused Sanchez of "pathological ambition" and of "political corruption" by trading an amnesty for personal gain.

"He hasn't secured the support of anyone, he has bought it signing cheques that we will all pay for," Feijoo said. Addressing Sanchez, he added: "history won't amnesty you, I can assure you."

The new premiership bid of Sanchez, who has governed since 2018, is expected to garner 179 votes in favour and 171 against in the 350-member assembly. PROTESTS

The amnesty deal prompted a wave of protests across Spain. Authorities said 80,000 people gathered in Madrid on Sunday, while tens of thousands attended demonstrations in Granada and Seville. More than 500 protesters gathered in Madrid on Wednesday, officials said.

"We are Spaniards worried about Spain," said one young protester draped in the country's flag. Another banged on a saucepan while others held signs with slogans such as "Pedro Judas Traitor". A bus with a large image depicting Sanchez as Adolf Hitler on its side, organised by ultra-conservative activist group Hazteoir.org, circulated in the streets nearby.

Esteban Gonzalez Pons, vice secretary of the conservative People's Party, on Tuesday compared the amnesty deal with violations of rule of law by Eastern European countries such as Hungary or Romania and suggested the European Union could intervene. The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an injunction by the far-right party Vox to suspend the investiture vote.

After PP leader Feijoo failed in his attempt to become prime minister following an election in July that produced no outright winner, PSOE spent weeks negotiating support with smaller parties to back him in the investiture vote and on key pieces of legislation. Hard-left Sumar is set to become the junior partner in the coalition government.

Several crimes such as terrorism or acts that resulted in death were not included in a draft of the amnesty bill.