The international press has echoed the signing of the pact between PSOE and Junts, and, while some media highlight the importance of the agreement in the context of relations between Catalonia and Spain, others accuse Sánchez of staying in power thanks to the pact with the independentists. Despite the division, all media focus on the amnesty law as the main common denominator, and highlight the European Union's concern about the Spanish rule of law.
In the United Kingdom, The Guardian publishes an extensive article in which they point to the revalidation of the Sánchez government after an agreement that they describe as “controversial” with Junts. After contextualizing the relationship between Catalonia and the Spanish government, the British media offers statistical data collected by the Generalitat through the Center d'Estudis d'Opinió on support for independence: In the past legislatures, 48% of Catalans supported separation, while the same survey carried out last July demonstrated a loss of support for the Catalan cause with 52% of the citizens of the Autonomous Community against independence. Likewise, they report that 70% of Spaniards would be against the amnesty law. Finally, they make a note of the demonstrations in the Spanish capitals, with the presence of 'fascist and neo-fascist' groups, the Vidal-Quadras incident, and the concern that the amnesty issue has generated in Brussels.
Meanwhile, the BBC highlights that Sánchez “secures power” with a “pact with the Catalan separatists” that is fueling the “anger” of the opposition. They focus on the reactions from Brussels through the statements of a spokesperson for the European Commission who assure that "there is a large number of citizens concerned about the amnesty." Likewise, they highlight the “deep concern” that the amnesty law proposal has generated among Spanish jurists, review the PSOE pact with ERC prior to that of Junts, and mention the incident with Vidal-Quadras.
In France, from the 24 hour news channel they celebrate a "historic agreement" between the PSOE and Junts, which they describe as “impossible at the beginning”, but which could now be “the key to resuming dialogue” between Catalonia and Spain, without mentioning the contrary reactions of the right-wing parties.
In the Libération they do echo the reaction of the opposition in the area of the amnesty proposal, and point out that Sánchez could open "an unprecedented stage" after the pact with the independentists, and ensure his investiture under the "high tension” that is experienced in the streets of the Spanish capital.
The reactions in Italy come from Il Post, which begins by highlighting the demonstrations in the different Spanish capitals by the right and the extreme right. They highlight the “aggressive nature” of the protests, and emphasize the words of the leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, before attending the demonstrations, where he called for “constant and growing” demonstrations against the amnesty. Likewise, they highlight that the pact will allow Sánchez to remain in power, with the help of Sumar, which they describe as a “radical left formation.”
In the Italian equivalent RTVE, in Rai they describe the pact as a “political masterpiece” by Sánchez, who is approaching the investiture in a context, in their opinion, of “a climate of very strong political tension” due to the demonstrations in front of the socialist headquarters in Madrid. They highlight the presence of neo-fascist affiliation groups “that performed the Roman salutation” and “caused violent encounters with law enforcement.” Finally, they echo the incident of the shooting of the former president of the Catalan PP Aleix Vidal-Quadras, who was shot in the face from a motorcycle, yesterday early afternoon, in Madrid.
On the other side of the Atlantic, The New York Times refers to the “disorder” caused by the pact to “guarantee amnesty with the separatists.” They detail the position contrary to the bill that Sánchez defended during the electoral campaign and warn the socialist leader that Junts "are not a reliable partner", despite the fact that the pact could mean "the salvation" of the PSOE. They also influence the reactions of the European Union, and note that the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, has sent a letter to the Spanish magistrates to express his concern about the amnesty law. Regarding the demonstrations in Madrid, the NY Times only points out that the PP has called demonstrations, but does not influence the incidents that have happened in the capital.
Our neighbors in Portugal highlight, through the Correio de Manhã, that Pedro Sánchez will be able to revalidate his government thanks to the amnesty agreement. The figure of the verifier and the negotiation table also stand out as the main points of agreement in the pact.
From the Lisbon-based Diário de Notícias, they focus on the protests in Madrid against the socialist headquarters, which they describe as “the revolt of the right.” They also point out that the amnesty proposal is the key to Sánchez's “open path” on his path to the investiture.
The climate of tension has also reached Greece, where the Efimerida ton Syntakton highlights the reactions of the opposition to the pact between PSOE and Junts, as well as the statements of Spanish jurists who have positioned themselves against the proposed amnesty law during the course of Sánchez's negotiations with ERC and Junts. They add that concerns about the proposed law have created a “climate of growing concerns about the rule of law in Spain” in the European Union.
