MADRID – Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez has ordered his Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo to complete clemency procedures for the convicted Catalan separatist leaders as soon as possible. Calvo has since confirmed the procedures are almost complete.
Justice Minister Juan Carlos Campo informed Calvo this week that his department is finalising clemency procedures for the nine separatist leaders convicted in 2017. This includes Oriol Junqueras. The Supreme Court previously ruled Santi Vila, Carles Mundó and Meritxell Borràs had served their sentences.
“The sooner the better”
Every single proceeding has been handled with the utmost prudence and thoroughness. Moreover with a view to possible appeal from the right-wing political corner. Once the files are closed, they will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval. They will be indicating the pardon to be effective immediately. This has been informed by senior government officials to the newspaper La Vanguardia.
Deputy Prime Minister Calvo told Canal Sur Radio yesterday “the procedures should be completed within the next week or the week after. But in any case within two or three weeks. “The sooner this case ends, the better,” Calvo said. The pardon issue is expected on the agenda of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday 22 or 29 June. But no later than Tuesday 6 July.
Government spokesman María Jesús Monteria said yesterday that efforts are being made to finalise the matter quickly. This is hoped to be before Catalonia’s new president Pere Aragonès visits Prime Minister Sanchez in Madrid. The visit was previously on the agenda of both presidents prior to this month. This first meeting between Sánchez and Aragonès will look at planning for talks on the current political conflict between the central and Catalan governments.
Majority in favour of pardoning the separatist leaders
According to the socialists in parliament, a large majority in the House is in favour of pardoning the convicted separatist leaders. This is despite fierce protests from the Popular Party, Vox and Ciudadanos.
