BTN News: Carles Puigdemont, the former president of Catalonia and a leading figure of Junts, has once again captured the spotlight with a recent video message released on his social media account. His dramatic return to Catalonia and the subsequent political implications have reignited discussions about the region’s push for independence. In his message, Puigdemont addressed both his supporters and the broader Catalan public, explaining the motives behind his return and reiterating his stance against what he views as an unjust judicial system that has pursued him since 2017.
Puigdemont’s main intention for returning to Catalonia was to attend the session for the investiture, despite acknowledging that such a move would almost certainly lead to his arrest. He expressed that such an arrest would have prevented him from even attempting to participate in the parliamentary session, which he described as his ultimate goal. Puigdemont emphasized that his decision not to surrender to the Spanish authorities was rooted in his belief that the judiciary, which has been after him since 2017, is illegitimate and driven by political motives rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.
He further criticized the heavy police presence organized by the Catalan Interior Department, claiming it was designed to prevent him from exercising his fundamental political rights. Despite these challenges, Puigdemont stated that he was fully aware of the risks involved in his return and was prepared for the possibility of failure. In the event of being unable to achieve his objectives, he planned to return to his residence in Belgium, a scenario he had already anticipated.
Puigdemont also lamented what he described as a “judicial rebellion” against him, spearheaded by a Supreme Court that refuses to accept the decisions approved by the Spanish state. He accused the Catalan government of collaborating with this judicial effort, suggesting that their time in power had run its course. Reiterating his long-held position, Puigdemont declared that he has never intended to surrender to a judicial authority he views as both incompetent and uninterested in delivering true justice, particularly regarding the defense of Catalonia’s right to self-determination and the organization of the independence referendum.
In his video message, Puigdemont articulated that the judicial system’s actions are targeted at specific individuals, himself included, and that the ultimate goal behind everything he does is the pursuit of freedom—both personal freedom and the freedom of Catalonia as a nation.
Coinciding with Salvador Illa’s inauguration as the new president of the Generalitat, Puigdemont acknowledged that a new political chapter is beginning in Catalonia. However, he stressed that the fight for independence is far from over. He called for continued efforts to explain the reasons behind the desire for independence, reaching every corner of Catalonia with tailored messages and strategies. Puigdemont highlighted the “enormous and unsustainable costs” associated with independence and how these costs impact the daily lives of the eight million people living in Catalonia.
Despite the challenges presented by a Generalitat now led by the Socialist Party (PSC), Puigdemont recognized that the current political landscape is the result of legitimate decisions. He concluded his message by thanking those who supported his return to Catalonia and his subsequent escape from arrest. Puigdemont urged the independence movement to engage in “tens of thousands of individual and collective actions” aimed at disrupting the Spanish state.
Carles Puigdemont’s latest message underscores his unwavering commitment to Catalonia’s independence and his refusal to surrender to a judicial system he believes is unjust. As Catalonia enters a new political era under the leadership of Salvador Illa, Puigdemont’s defiance serves as a reminder that the region’s struggle for independence continues, with many eyes still fixed on his next move.
