Spanish congress passes amnesty law for Catalan separatists

Passing of bill will come as relief for PM, Pedro Sanchez, who has gambled his political future on the concession

Spain's congress has approved the controversial and divisive Catalan amnesty bill that regional separatists demanded in return for helping the country's Socialist-led coalition government back into office following last year's inconclusive general election.

The passing of the bill, which was approved by 178 votes to 172 in Spain's 350-seat parliament, will come as a relief for the prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, who has gambled his political future on the concession.