A rare consensus was reached this week in Spain’s Congress of Deputies among the country’s leading political parties. Representatives from the People’s Party (PP), the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), and the Catalan Junts agreed to jointly support legislative changes aimed at toughening penalties for repeat offenders. Members of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and Vox also joined in the discussion and endorsement of the amendments.
The agreement centers on six key amendments to a bill proposed by Junts. This initiative was a top priority for the Catalan political group led by Carles Puigdemont. Following discussions within the relevant parliamentary committee, a report was prepared and will now be submitted to the Justice Commission for consideration.
The bill proposes stricter penalties for so-called ‘multi-recidivists’—individuals repeatedly convicted of similar offenses. According to its sponsors, current laws do not provide an adequate deterrent for this category of criminals, leading to a rise in repeat offenses.
Parliamentary process
The compromise was reached after a series of intense negotiations among parties that had previously held opposing views on criminal policy. The involvement of Junts was particularly significant, as tougher penalties for repeat offenders was one of their key conditions for supporting other parliamentary initiatives.
During the discussions, representatives of Junts insisted on the urgent need for changes, citing statistics showing a rise in repeat offenses across several regions, including Catalonia. Their position was backed not only by their usual opponents but also by parties that typically advocate a more lenient approach to criminal law.
The next step will be a review of the report by the Justice Committee. If approved, the document will be put to a final vote at the plenary session of Congress.
Political context
This step comes at a time when Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is showing a willingness to engage in dialogue with Catalonia’s pro-independence forces. This week, he met with Junts representatives, marking a clear signal of potential progress on several contentious issues.
Nevertheless, Junts’ official spokesperson in parliament, Míriam Nogueras, stated that the deadlock in Congress remains unresolved. However, support for the initiative to toughen penalties for repeat offenders has become one of the few examples of constructive cooperation between parties that are usually on opposite sides of the political spectrum.
Other factions, including PNV and Vox, also took part in the discussion, helping to form a broad coalition in favor of the changes. This could set a precedent for future agreements on criminal policy issues.
Impact on Legislation
If the bill is ultimately approved, Spain will gain new tools to combat repeat offenses. Tougher penalties are expected to primarily affect those types of crimes most frequently committed by repeat offenders.
Junts emphasizes that the aim of the changes is not only to strengthen punishment, but also to increase public safety. Representatives from other parties stress that the new measures must be balanced and respect the rights of the accused.
In the coming weeks, parliament committees are expected to actively discuss the details of the bill. The final vote could happen as early as next month, provided no new disagreements arise between factions.
For reference, Junts is a Catalan political party founded in 2020 by Carles Puigdemont, the former head of the Generalitat of Catalonia. The party is a strong advocate for the region’s independence and often initiates high-profile legislative proposals in the Spanish parliament. In recent years, Junts has managed to strengthen its position in national politics despite tense relations with the central government.
