Spain Elects Socialist Prime Minister for Second Term After Months of Political Upheaval

After four months of political turmoil, Spain’s parliament has re-elected Socialist Pedro Sánchez as its prime minister.

The Details: On Thursday, the Socialists secured a four-seat majority coalition that includes separatist parties who have sought independence from Spain. Sánchez was aided in doing so by promising amnesty for hundreds of leaders involved in the failed 2017 Catalonian independence movement, including Junts party leader Carles Puigdemont, who is currently in exile in Brussels.

For Context: Spain’s July election was won by the conservative People’s Party, however, they were unable to form a majority coalition. Sánchez’s proposed amnesty deal has caused political upheaval in Spain since he announced it, including widespread protests.

Key Quotes: Sánchez said the amnesty deal fostered national unity through “dialogue and forgiveness.” Spain’s judiciary which BBC (Center bias) says is “considered conservative” has criticized the amnesty deal as ​​the "beginning of the end of democracy". People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, said, "I told (Sánchez) that he had made a mistake, but he is the one responsible for it. The amnesty is the worst way to start the legislature." 

How The Media Covered It: Politico (Lean Left bias) and BBC reported the anger of protestors after the confirmation, some of whom they say threw eggs at parliament members. They both also noted the presence of Tucker Carlson (Right bias) at the protests this week. Fox News (Right bias) did not include these details but noted the European Union is reviewing the amnesty deal, which Politico and BBC did not.