PROTESTERS MARCH IN MADRID VS PARDON FOR CATALAN SEPARATISTS

Tens of thousands demonstrated in Spain's capital Madrid on Sunday against the planned pardon of Catalan separatists by the left-wing government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

The conservative association Union 78 had called for the demonstration. Opposition leader Pablo Casado of the conservative People's Party (PP) called on Sanchez "not to sell out the unity of Spain."

Although he shares the same opinion on this issue as the leader of the populist Vox party, Santiago Abascal, he avoided a joint "family photo" with his rival. Such a moment in 2019 had earned him the accusation of not sufficiently distinguishing himself from the extreme right-wing party.

Sanchez's minority government depends on votes from Catalan separatists for a majority in parliament.

It plans to release from prison politicians convicted for the 2017 Catalan independence referendum judged illegal by the judiciary in Madrid - as a basis for a negotiated solution to the conflict.

The plan is risky for Sanchez because those imprisoned are committed to Catalonia's secession and a pardon is unpopular in the rest of Spain.

Twelve Catalan politicians had been sentenced to prison terms of up to 13 years for their role in the illegal independence referendum and the attempted secession of the economically strong region in north-eastern Spain.

The then head of the regional government, Carles Puigdemont, fled abroad at the last moment.

The population of Catalonia is divided into roughly two equal blocs of supporters and opponents of independence.

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