Pedro Sanchez has been reelected prime minister of Spain.
The vote came after nearly two days of debate among party leaders that centred almost entirely on a highly controversial amnesty deal for Catalonia’s separatists.
Mr Sanchez agreed to the bill in return for vital support to get elected prime minister again.
The Socialist Workers’ Party leader was backed by 179 politicians in the 350-seat lower house of parliament.
Only right-wing opposition parties voted against him.
As the vote was completed inside, outside parliament, angry protesters shouted and shook police barricades.
Many citizens are angered by the amnesty bill, which would mean any politicians and activists who were convicted for taking part in an attempt to separate Catalonia from Spain would be pardoned.
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Those who helped facilitate Catalonia’s two independence votes in 2014 or 2017 will receive amnesty, and those who tried to prevent the ballots – such as police officers accused of using excessive force – are also protected by the proposed law.
Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the conservative People’s Party, accused Mr Sanchez of “pathological ambition” and trading an amnesty for personal gain after the bill was submitted to the lower house on Monday.
“He hasn’t secured the support of anyone, he has bought it signing cheques that we will all pay for,” Mr Feijoo said, telling Mr Sanchez: “History won’t amnesty you, I can assure you.”
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