On Thursday, tensions in Madrid reached a boiling point as protesters clashed with riot police following the news that Spain’s Socialists had reached a deal with Catalonia’s separatist Junts party. The agreement included support for the government as well as amnesties for those involved in Catalonia’s failed 2017 independence bid. These developments have led to demonstrations and protests in the capital city.
Meanwhile, in another part of the country, the parliament of Spain voted to install Pedro Sanchez as prime minister for another term. This move put an end to a long deadlock that followed July’s general election. In order to win their support, Sanchez’s Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) had to reach separate deals with a number of regional parties.
These events serve as a reminder of the deep divisions and tensions that still exist in Spanish politics, particularly with regard to Catalonia’s bid for independence. The ongoing challenges facing the Spanish government are underscored by the clashes between protesters and riot police in Madrid.