EU Court Upholds Spain's Catalan Amnesty Law

The EU Court of Justice ruled on July 16, 2026 that Spain's 2024 amnesty law for Catalonia independence activists does not violate EU law. The court held that adopting amnesty legislation falls within member-state competence. The law, passed by PM Sánchez in exchange for Catalan secessionist parliamentary support, has pardoned over 300 people and could enable exiled leader Carles Puigdemont's return.