After the initial announcement about the repeal of sedition, it is time to analyze the fine print. The organic law proposal registered by PSOE and Unidas Podemos, already agreed with ERC, introduces into the Penal Code a new crime of aggravated public disorder whose wording does not quite convince some formations or purple sectors of the Government that are already preparing amendments to the rule. But the nuances are not only here. After putting on the table a possible reform of the crime of embezzlement, for which several leaders of the ‘procés’ were also convicted, the political formations are awaiting the fine print of this modification proposed by ERC, since the proposed change could benefit those convicted of other corruption cases.
The Catalan republicans advocate lowering the sentences when there is no personal enrichment. However, when asked by journalists, the party’s spokesman in Congress, Gabriel Ruffianhas admitted this Tuesday that this change could be favorable to those convicted of cases such as those YOU ARE, noos either gurtel, for which reason he has proposed a “surgical” reform “linked to what sedition means.” An approach that the Government could come to accept.
This possible change has also generated discrepancies within the parliamentary group of United We Can. While the ‘comunes’ and the PCE consider it “advisable” to adopt the ERC proposal, the spokesman for the purples, Pablo Echenique, has argued that it should be analyzed calmly, since this step could have different consequences. The same has been defended by the Compromís deputy, Joan Baldoví. In the socialist wing of the Government they ask for calm and assure that they will analyze any proposal that comes to them.
looking for the formula
The PDECat spokesman, Ferran Bellagrees with ERC, but sees the formula they propose as difficult and proposes introducing a “generic formulation” from which those convicted of cases of corruption cannot take advantage, but those who were punished for “attempted embezzlement” in the framework of the illegal referendum of 2017. His counterpart in Junts, Miriam Noguerashas preferred not to pronounce until there is no written proposal, but has made it clear that his formation will also register amendments.
Whatever the chosen formula, ERC sources explain that they will not present any initiative without it having been previously agreed with the PSOE. The Socialists are cautious and prefer not to venture anything. Several socialist ministers have limited themselves to ensuring that they will study any amendment that is presented. “We are a dialogue government that whenever there is a proposal, analyzes it“, assured the head of Industry, maroto kingsthis afternoon.
The citizen protest
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The other question that raises doubts is the wording of the new crime of aggravated public disorder. The purple ones areworried” given the possibility that the text that is being introduced ends up “criminalizing” citizen protests. And they are not the only ones. Nogueras has denounced that ERC has given in to the PSOE in the creation of this new crime and that as “counterpart“to the repeal of sedition “the exercise of fundamental rights is further limited.” He has even said that the text registered by socialists and purple could have “signed“Someone like Supreme Court magistrate Manuel Marchena who condemned the leaders of the ‘procés’.
“If you don’t like it, please help. If we have achieved this, imagine what we would achieve by all going together. This has been achieved by half of the independence movement, imagine what we would achieve by being all“, Rufián has responded to these criticisms. The ERC spokesman has admitted that everything can be improved, but that in a negotiation with the PSOE it is difficult to “win 5-0”.