A political maneuver approved in the Congress with resistance from one side and a thunderous push from the governing party and a rising court debate—the central question becomes whether a lasting reconciliation can ever be achieved. Listening to the spokespeople of the two major parties raises concern, because whether amnesty exists or not, the gap between them and the aggressive rhetoric surrounding the debate risks locking the country into years of strife. A dividing line between supporters and critics remains, casting a somber mood over national life.
A prominent Socialist figure, Félix Bolaños, frames the amnesty as a potentially historic law that could set a global benchmark. Other party colleagues, like the regional leaders Lambán and Page, and many others in private, express regret. “Historic, not,” counters Cuca Gamarra, the general secretary of the Popular Party. Bolaños insists the measure could prove useful, noting that its value would become clear only with time. Still, the claim rests on how quickly the law might open a new era that others could view as guiding a fresh chapter. Yet within minutes, representatives from Esquerra Republicana and Junts reminded observers that even after amnesty, the pursuit of self-determination rights would continue to be a contentious objective. Meanwhile, Alberto Núñez Feijóo sought to gain the European party’s sympathy in a sharp rhetorical contest. “A European government will not forgive gravely harmful crimes against the heart of the Union,” he asserted during a European People’s Party congress held in Bucharest.
With this political tension spreading, a growing share of public opinion feels skeptical, dismayed by frequent brusque parliamentary sessions that show little sign of broad agreement on the basics. The Congress has spiraled into exchanges that often resemble a standstill: the Popular Party entrenched in a stance of “no to everything”; remnants of Podemos allied with the right to oppose unemployment benefits for spite; and a year-old pattern where Esquerra Republicana opposed a labor reform. Rational discourse fades amid a deliberate effort to undermine the adversary.
Despite the political storm, some parts of the country progress in spite of the turmoil. February brought a solid jobs increase, Barcelona hosted a major tech and business event that spurred optimism, and foreign investment continued to flow, though many prefer settling in Madrid to reduce uncertainty. The nation’s economic pulse remains resilient even as the political scene grows louder and more polarized.
While some talk shows lit up with debates against amnesty and others in Catalonia pushed for stronger separatist measures, a story in the heart of Girona drew a different spotlight. A satirical journalist, Soler Bufí, who carries a long Catalan surname, published a book titled Puigdemont: the Return of the Vivales. The author had previously collaborated with Puigdemont on a Girona newspaper where the politician once served as editor-in-chief. This is Soler’s third work that mocks the independence movement and its rituals. In an intriguing footnote on page 155, a piece Soler previously published was cited in a legal action brought by Puigdemont for alleged harm to his reputation. The journalist quipped about whether Puigdemont would endorse amnesty for that article, joking that the other party had asked for a symbolic euro to restore his honor. He then proposed that the Vivales return to Catalonia on Palm Sunday, arriving on a donkey to lend a biblical air, welcomed by supporters with palms. The joke notes that humor and satire can offer relief through the political ordeal.