Spain pardons Catalan separatists

WHEN NINE Catalan separatist leaders walked out of jail on June 23rd after three-and-a-half years inside it was a moment of jubilation for their supporters and of dismay for many others, but perhaps also of modest hope. The previous day the government of Pedro Sánchez, the Socialist prime minister, had granted them pardons, commuting sentences of up to 13 years imposed by the Supreme Court for sedition and maladministration. Their crime had been to organise a referendum in 2017 as regional officials, despite orders not to from the courts, and then to declare Catalonia’s independence. The pardons are intended to ease tensions and open the way to talks to end a conflict that has dogged Spain for over a decade.