BTN News: Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan leader who famously fled Spain after orchestrating a controversial independence referendum in Catalonia nearly seven years ago, has made a surprising announcement that he intends to return to his homeland. This unexpected move, set for Thursday, has reignited political tensions in Spain, especially considering the potential consequences that could follow his arrival. Puigdemont, now 61, fled to Belgium after the rapid collapse of the 2017 secessionist movement, which plunged Spain into a constitutional crisis. In his announcement, which he shared via YouTube, Puigdemont did not specify how or when he would arrive in Spain, but his intentions are clear: he plans to attend an event organized by his political party, Junts per Catalunya (Together for Catalonia), near the Catalan Parliament in Barcelona. The event is expected to draw a significant crowd of his supporters, adding to the already heightened political atmosphere in the region.
The return of Puigdemont to Spain is not without significant risks. The Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police, have stated their commitment to follow judicial orders to arrest Puigdemont if he returns to Spanish soil. Despite this, Puigdemont appears resolute, acknowledging that he “cannot attend freely” the parliamentary session and accusing the authorities of a “long persecution” stemming from his failed attempt to achieve Catalan independence. His return is likely to reignite the fierce debate over Catalonia’s independence, a topic that has remained a source of deep division within Spain. The failed 2017 secession attempt led to one of the most prolonged constitutional crises in the country’s modern history.
Puigdemont’s steadfast approach to the issue of Catalan independence has often put him at odds not only with the Spanish central government but also with other separatist factions. His return threatens to complicate a recently brokered agreement between the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) led by Salvador Illa and the other major separatist party, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC). This agreement had secured the necessary support for Illa to become the next regional president in a crucial parliamentary session scheduled for Thursday, just hours after Puigdemont’s planned event. The timing of Puigdemont’s return could disrupt this delicate political balance, as his presence will undoubtedly draw attention away from the investiture debate.
One of the central issues surrounding Puigdemont’s return is the controversial amnesty bill proposed by Spain’s socialist-led coalition government. This bill, if passed, could potentially absolve Puigdemont and hundreds of other pro-independence figures of any wrongdoing related to the 2017 referendum, which was declared illegal by Spanish courts. However, the bill has faced legal challenges, with Spain’s Supreme Court questioning the scope of the amnesty and leaving the matter in a state of uncertainty. Should Puigdemont return before the legal situation is clarified, he risks being detained and possibly facing trial.
The figure of Carles Puigdemont has become emblematic of the Catalan independence movement. His dramatic escape from Spain in 2017, which has since become the stuff of legend among his supporters, was a significant embarrassment for Spanish law enforcement. His continued advocacy for Catalan independence, even from exile, has kept the issue alive in both Catalonia and the broader Spanish political landscape. Earlier this year, Puigdemont denied rumors that he had hidden in the trunk of a car to evade capture as he crossed the border following the referendum. The legal crackdown that followed the failed secession attempt saw several of Puigdemont’s allies imprisoned, though they were later pardoned by the government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
As Puigdemont prepares to return to Catalonia, the question of how his presence will impact the ongoing political situation remains. His return is likely to galvanize his supporters, while also creating new challenges for both the regional and central governments. The issue of Catalan independence, far from being resolved, is poised to once again take center stage in Spain’s political discourse. The next few days will be crucial in determining whether Puigdemont’s return will lead to renewed conflict or open the door to new negotiations. Whatever the outcome, Puigdemont’s return marks a significant moment in the ongoing saga of Catalonia’s quest for independence.
