The Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC), a leading civil society organisation in Catalonia's independence movement, welcomed on Thursday 22 October 2026 the full application of Spain's amnesty law for individuals involved in the 2017 secessionist bid, calling it a catalyst for renewed efforts to break away from Spain.
In a statement released this week, the ANC declared that the amnesty does not mark the end of the independence struggle but rather an opportunity to continue with greater determination. "The conflict has not been resolved and we, the independentists, are still here. We have not stopped being here. Nothing ends here," the organisation stated.
The ANC described the amnesty, passed by the Spanish government in 2023 as part of a parliamentary deal to secure Pedro Sánchez's investiture, as "a trap to launder the State, normalize the situation in Catalonia and demobilize the independence movement." Despite this critique, the group insists the political reasons for seeking independence remain fully valid.
"It's Time to Try Again"
"Now is the time to try again, without excuses or diversions. It is time to refocus all efforts on the pending objective. It is time to commit to independence,"
the ANC emphasized, framing the current moment as a pivotal opportunity to reignite the movement.
The organisation sharply criticised the governing parties in Catalonia and Spain, specifically the PSC and PSOE, for supporting the amnesty. It cited a stark contrast between current positions and past statements, noting that Prime Minister Sánchez once pledged in 2019 to bring Carles Puigdemont back to Spain to face justice, calling him a "fugitive from justice." In September 2021, Sánchez explicitly ruled out both a referendum and amnesty, stating, "Neither the referendum nor amnesty are possible."
Similarly, current Catalan president Salvador Illa, who as opposition leader in November 2022 declared "neither amnesty nor any of that," has become a staunch defender of the law. The ANC dismissed this shift as "political cynicism in its highest expression."
Contradictions in Leadership
While the ANC pushes for renewed momentum, the Catalan government under Illa has taken a more measured tone. On Tuesday, Illa celebrated the end of judicial proceedings against independence leaders, stating on social media, "The time has given us reason. Catalonia advances," and reaffirmed in parliament the start of an "era of normality."
However, this narrative of restored calm clashes with the ANC's insistence that the underlying political conflict with Spain remains unresolved. The ANC's statement makes clear that while legal charges have been lifted, the demand for independence has not diminished.
On 14 October 2026, Spain's Constitutional Court gave final approval to the amnesty, allowing Puigdemont to return without arrest risk. National Court judge Pablo Llarena subsequently lifted the arrest warrant. The ANC views this not as closure but as a new beginning.
Sources: Crónica Global, El Periódico.
