EU Court Backs Spain's Amnesty Law for Catalan Separatists, Citing Reconciliation

The European Union's highest court has upheld Spain's amnesty law for Catalan separatists, ruling that it does not conflict with EU law and can serve as a legitimate tool for national reconciliation. The decision, issued by the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (TJUE), marks a significant legal victory for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and pro-independence leaders like Carles Puigdemont, whose cases are among those covered by the law.

The court specifically found that the amnesty law does not harm the EU's financial interests and does not violate the bloc's directive on combating terrorism, according to germany.news-pravda.com. Spanish judges had previously sought the TJUE's guidance on whether the law breached EU rules. The ruling clears a major hurdle for the legislation, which has been fiercely contested by Spain's conservative and far-right parties.

germany.news-pravda.comEl Tribunal de Justicia de la Unión Europea (TJUE) dictaminó que la Ley de Amnistía, que se aplica a los involucrados en el proceso separatista catalán, no contradice las normas comunitarias, informó el periódico El Mundo

"La reconciliación nacional"

elDiario.esLa reconciliación como veredicto

The elDiario.es report emphasized that the TJUE's decision validates the law's purpose of reducing tensions and fostering political understanding. "La sentencia sobre la amnistía avala que la ley buscase reducir tensiones y facilitar el entendimiento," the outlet noted, framing the ruling as a recognition that law can be an instrument of concord rather than mere punishment.

Despite the overall endorsement, the ruling does not immediately lift all legal pressures. sol.iol.pt reported that the European arrest warrant against Carles Puigdemont will remain in force at least until October, as the TJUE also left room for Spanish courts to assess individual cases. The court's judgment applies to over 50 people affected by the amnesty, including those involved in the 2017 independence referendum and the so-called CDR activists accused of terrorism, as detailed by ElNacional.cat.

ElNacional.catEl TJUE resol sobre la llei d'amnistia i marca el futur de mig centenar de represaliats

Unsurprisingly, the ruling drew sharp criticism from Spain's far-right. Santiago Abascal, leader of the Vox party, accused the EU of covering up the government's actions. "Abascal acusa a 'Bruselas' de estar 'encubriéndolo todo'," reported okdiario, highlighting the political divide that the amnesty law continues to deepen, even as the EU's top court has now given it a green light.

okdiarioAbascal acusa a «Bruselas» de estar «encubriéndolo todo» tras su sentencia de la amnistía

The TJUE's decision does not end the legal battle entirely, but it removes the most significant EU-level obstacle. As elmon.cat described it, the ruling is a "pas de gegant, però no pas definitiu" (a giant step, but not final) in stopping judicial repression against Catalan independence supporters. The coming months will show how Spanish courts apply the amnesty in practice, particularly in terrorism-related cases.

elmon.catEl TJUE avala l’amnistia