The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled Thursday that Spain's amnesty law for Catalan separatists does not violate EU law, dismissing concerns that pardoning the misuse of public funds during the 2017 independence push would endanger European financial interests. The Luxembourg-based court validated the amnesty's compatibility with EU anti-terrorism directives, though it excluded acts that intentionally caused grave human rights violations. Judges also upheld the two-month procedural deadline for Spanish courts to apply the amnesty, with exceptions when the EU court is seized of preliminary questions.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez championed the legislation in 2024, securing support from Catalan separatist parties after inconclusive 2023 elections. Following the ruling, Jordi Turull urged Spain's Constitutional Court to resolve pending appeals before its summer recess, while Carles Puigdemont argued that failing to apply the amnesty would conflict with European law. Lawyer Gonzalo Boye said the Supreme Court is now positioned to act on its own initiative.