I’m not so sure this is so terrible. Preventing further Catalonian separatist sentiment would require some level of reconciliation, and this seems like a good first step. Having Puigdemont as some kind of martyr in Brussels is not a good look for Spain and has only really emboldened the pro-independence parties.

This deal gives Sanchez an excellent angle to force some reconciliatory concessions from the separatists as well. It’s basically killed any chance at a further referendum.