EU Court Backs Spain's Catalan Amnesty Law

The EU Court of Justice ruled on July 16, 2026 that Spain's 2024 amnesty law for Catalan independence activists does not violate EU law, holding that amnesty legislation falls within each member state's own legal authority. Passed by PM Sánchez in exchange for Catalan secessionist parliamentary support, the law has pardoned over 300 people and could enable exiled leader Carles Puigdemont's return.