Spanish Congress Passes Controversial Catalonia Amnesty Law Amid Political Turmoil
• Spanish congress approves controversial amnesty law for Catalan separatists that could allow Carles Puigdemont to return from exile • Bill passed with 178-172 vote to secure support of Catalan pro-independence parties for Socialist-led government • Law will apply to about 400 people involved in 2014/2017 independence referendums and declarations • Opponents criticize the law as humiliating, unjust, and putting political expediency over national interests • Approval comes amid political turmoil as Catalonia's president calls early regional election over budget defeat