This Wednesday, Sánchez defended validation of sentences for members of ETA. Previously, the government had never publicly explained its support for this reduction in prison years. For ten years, the PSOE never supported this proposal and only in the last few hours has it reluctantly started to do so. This is why it is striking that Patxi López makes this reproach to the press: “I explained it, I don’t know if you say it.”
Whatever Patxi López says, for months no one from the government or the PSOE has explained the reason for a reform presented in March and discussed for the first time on July 31, a holiday in Spain, during a closed meeting. It was that day when Sumar’s amendment was incorporated this will reduce the years of sentence of ETA prisoners.
What’s next? The Justice Commission. Apparently, there was talk of criminal records in Europe. Only a few rather enigmatic allusions hid that ETA was going to benefit from it. “A discrimination from which only Spanish citizens have suffered.” End discrimination against Spanish citizens, but the truth is that The changes concern almost exclusively ETA members.
“The principle of equivalence of effects in any Member State is unified and guaranteed”. They were warned, but the PP and Vox did not object. The law was debated on September 17 without anyone mentioning ETA or terrorism. Two Basque parties, the PNV and EH Bildu, defended the benefits granted to prisoners.
The PP criticizes the government for the delay in the law: “It’s coming two years late”. And even though it was read quickly, it doesn’t seem like they noticed the content. The next day, with Vox and all parliamentary groups, 346 votes were in favor. 19 days later, the media reported on it.
