(12 Nov 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Madrid, Spain - 12 November 2023
1. Spanish flags with emblematic advertisement of Spanish wine in Puerta del Sol
2. Various of protesters with flags
3. Banner reading (English) "Sánchez blows up Spain's rule of law"
4. People on top roof of building with Spanish flags
5. Banner reading (Spanish)"Sánchez traitor "
6. Banner with socialist party logo reading (Spanish) "Sanchez out, traitor and liar "
7. Set-up of Leli Durán
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Leli Durán, 53-years-old. hairdresser:
"I want unity in my country and not this man (Pedro Sánchez) killing this unity. We are all together to make him understand, once and for all, that it is not all about what he wants and does just for his craving for power."
9. Banner reading (Spanish) "Spain on sale for seven votes"
10. Set up of Jane Joaquín
11.SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Jane Joaquín, 34-years-old, international logistic manager:
"Amnesty law is what concerns me more. I don't think it is normal that some people have privileges above others. We need equality in the country and unity. What we need now, no matter the political party, is to speak up"
12. Banner in English reading "PSOE (socialist party) is killing Spanish democracy"
13. Set-up of Borja Gutiérrez
14. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Borja Gutiérrez, 39-years-old, Lawyer:
"In his campaign (Pedro Sánchez) never said that he will carry on this treason or at least not clearly enough to make Spanish people not vote for him. The only way out now is to support justice and show it in the streets, we need citizens to go to the streets."
15. Banner reading (Spanish) "Stop Sánchez, let's stop the coup "
16. Various of protesters with Spanish and European Union flags
17. Demonstrators listening to national anthem
STORYLINE:
Thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid on Sunday to protest against the country's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Protesters are demonstrating against Sanchez's amnesty deal with Catalan separatists.
The demonstration followed several others in recent weeks.
They were organised by the Popular Party and Vox, who accuse Sánchez of betraying the country and handing power to a fugitive - Carles Puigdemont.
"I want unity in my country and not this man (Pedro Sánchez) killing this unity. We are all together to make him understand, once and for all, that it is not all about what he wants and does just for his craving for power," said one protester.
Sánchez’s chances of forming a new coalition minority government following an inconclusive election in July have been greatly boosted by a deal with a tiny party he surely hoped he would never have to rely on.
The deal is with Together for Catalunya, also known as Junts, a group intent on achieving independence for the northeastern region of Catalonia.
It's headed by Puigdemont, who is living in self-exile in Belgium.
The former regional leader of Catalonia is public enemy No. 1 for many Spaniards, for fleeing after leading a failed illegal secession bid in 2017 that brought the country to the brink.
The agreement signed Thursday hinges on a massively controversial amnesty that could benefit Puigdemont and thousands of other secessionists.
But the proposal, backed by several smaller left-wing parties, has roused the ire of the conservative and far-right opposition parties that represent roughly half the country’s population.
Many in the judiciary and police are also opposed.
AP video by Alicia Leon Perea
===========================================================
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
