The issue of amnesty was heavily debated in right-wing and far-right media in Spain for months, with fears that it would destroy the nation, democracy, equality among Spaniards, and even impact the success of the Real Madrid in the upcoming Champions League. However, the topic disappeared from the spotlight when the campaign for the Basque regional elections began, and was overshadowed further during the Catalan campaign. Despite pressure to prevent the approval of the amnesty law, it was not deemed important enough to risk losing a seat in parliament. With the European elections approaching, the amnesty has once again resurfaced in the media, particularly in relation to Catalonia.
The Partido Popular in Spain has shifted its campaign focus away from immigration and security issues towards Catalonia and the amnesty as the European elections draw near. Columnists like Raúl del Pozo have suggested that the granting of amnesty may not result in the nation breaking apart, as previously feared. The PP has organized a demonstration against the amnesty, with the goal of gaining support from voters who oppose the law and potentially attracting disillusioned socialist voters. Some media outlets see the European elections as a referendum on Prime Minister Sanchez and his future in power, using the issue of amnesty to rally support against him.
While some media outlets have criticized the lack of emphasis on the amnesty issue in the Catalan campaign, others have acknowledged the strategic decisions made by the Partido Popular. The El Español editorial pointed out the absence of the amnesty issue in the Catalan campaign, attributing it to a lack of interest from voters rather than a failure on the part of the PP. Despite the success of the PP in the Catalan elections, some commentators continue to question their campaign strategy, particularly the decision not to focus heavily on the issue of amnesty.
As the debate around amnesty continues to play out in the media and political landscape of Spain, the European elections are seen as a crucial test for the various political parties and their strategies. The topic of amnesty, which had previously been a major point of contention, is once again at the forefront as parties seek to gain support from voters. The outcome of the European elections will likely have a significant impact on the future direction of Spanish politics and the ongoing debate surrounding the issue of amnesty for Catalan independence leaders.
