Spain’s Constitutional Court ruled yesterday, that strict lockdown laws introduced by the government last year were unlawful. Spain imposed arguably the strictest lockdown in Europe.
On March 14th 2020, Prime Minister Pedro’s Sanchez’s government declared a three month state of emergency, to temporarily limit civil liberties to fight the pandemic.
People were only allowed to leave home if they couldn’t work there, go to the supermarket, buy medicine, or visit a hospital. Right-wing party VOX brought a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the lockdown.
VOX argued that the restriction of movement required something called a “state of exception.” Unlike a state of emergency, a state of exception requires parliamentary approval and not simply cabinet assent.
The court agreed. However it was tight, with six judges voting in favour and five against. Spanish newspapers are reporting this morning, that people who were fined for leaving their homes last year, may have to be reimbursed by the government.
It’s big news this. The Constitutional Court of a major European country has declared lockdown to be unlawful. Yet not a single TV or radio station in the UK thinks it worthy of a mention.
Only The Telegraph thought it was important that we know. Surprise surprise.