EU Court of Justice backs Spanish Catalonia amnesty law
On 16 July 2026 the EU Court of Justice (TJUE) delivered two landmark rulings on Spain’s organic amnesty law aimed at normalising the political situation in Catalonia. The court answered two preliminary questions: one from the Tribunal de Cuentas concerning the alleged misuse of public funds by former Catalan leaders such as Carles Puigdemont, and another from the Audiencia Nacional regarding terrorism‑related charges against members of the Committees for the Defence of the Republic (CDR). In both cases the TJUE found that the amnesty law does not breach EU law, does not affect the Union’s financial interests, and does not conflict with the EU anti‑terrorism directive, although it highlighted procedural concerns about the two‑month deadline for applying the law.
The decision removes the principal legal obstacle to the law’s implementation. Spanish government leader Salvador Illa welcomed it, calling it “una muy buena noticia para Cataluña, para España y para la democracia”. The ruling could pave the way for the release or return of exiled figures such as Puigdemont and the lifting of disqualifications for politicians like Oriol Junqueras. Former prime minister José María Aznar also commented, warning that “la agresión sediciosa al derecho no debe quedar impune”.