Massive Protest Against Amnesty Law in Madrid Over 170,000 Attend Rally to Oppose Spain’s New Legislation
On Saturday, November 18th, a massive protest took place in Madrid, Spain, with about 170,000 people marching through the city in opposition to an amnesty law recently agreed upon by the country’s Socialists. The law was a result of negotiations over Catalonia’s 2017 separatist bid, a move that was necessary to form a new government.
The rally marks the largest demonstration to date against the amnesty, with protesters waving Spanish flags and carrying signs reading “Sanchez traitor” and “Don’t sell Spain.” The law, which includes some 400 individuals involved in the 2017 independence movement, has been met with criticism from judicial associations, opposition political parties, and business leaders who fear it could threaten the rule of law and separation of powers.
The demonstration, which follows a series of protests in cities across Spain, comes just two days after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez secured a four-year term with the backing of Catalan and Basque nationalist parties in exchange for agreeing to the controversial law. The amnesty has sparked anger and unrest, with protests taking place not only in Madrid but also in London, where a small protest was held outside the Spanish Embassy.
Opposition leaders, including Alberto Nunez Feijoo of the People’s Party and Santiago Abascal of the far-right Vox party, joined the march, which was organized by civil groups. This widespread demonstration represents a significant stand against the amnesty, as individuals fear that it could set a dangerous precedent and undermine the legal system.
Prime Minister Sanchez has defended the law, arguing that an amnesty would help to ease tensions in Catalonia. However, the public response has been overwhelmingly negative, with 70% of the respondents in a recent survey expressing opposition to the idea of an amnesty. The continued protests and widespread public disapproval underscore the deep divide and unrest surrounding the issue.
The amnesty will be the largest in Spain since the 1977 blanket amnesty for crimes committed during the Francisco Franco dictatorship, and the first amnesty law approved in the European Union since 1991. Its approval has reignited tensions surrounding the Catalan independence movement and has once again brought Spain’s political crisis to the forefront of public attention. Following the rally, demonstrators blocked a major motorway near the Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s residence, causing significant disruption before the police eventually dispersed the crowd.
While clashes with police and instances of violence have occurred during the protests, the demonstrations have largely been peaceful. The strong public opposition to the law and the massive turnout at demonstrations reflect the widespread concern and discontent over Spain’s latest political developments.