Carles Puigdemont, the former leader of Catalonia, made an unexpected return to Spain on Thursday, nearly seven years after fleeing the country. Puigdemont, who organized a controversial independence referendum in 2017, faces charges of embezzlement related to the secession attempt.
The ex-president's arrival in Barcelona drew thousands of supporters waving Catalan flags. Puigdemont addressed the crowd, criticizing Spanish authorities for their treatment of the Catalan separatist movement. He stated, "For the last seven years we have been persecuted because we wanted to hear the voice of the Catalan people."
Catalonia, an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, has a long history of seeking independence. The region, which accounts for about 19% of Spain's GDP, has its own parliament, government, and president. The Catalan language is co-official with Spanish in the region.
The 2017 referendum, held on October 1, was declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court before it took place. Despite this, the Catalan Parliament declared independence on October 27, 2017, leading to a constitutional crisis. The Spanish government responded by invoking Article 155 of the Constitution, imposing direct rule on Catalonia.
Puigdemont, who served as the 130th President of Catalonia from 2016 to 2017, fled to Belgium on October 30, 2017, to avoid arrest. In 2019, he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, although his immunity was waived in March 2021.
The former leader's return to Spain comes at a politically sensitive time. A contentious amnesty bill, approved by Spain's parliament earlier this year, could potentially clear Puigdemont and other supporters of Catalan independence of wrongdoing related to the 2017 referendum. However, the bill is being challenged by the Supreme Court, which argues that it does not apply to embezzlement charges.
Puigdemont's presence in Spain may complicate the formation of a new regional government. A recent deal between the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) and the left-wing Esquerra Republicana (ERC) had paved the way for Salvador Illa to become the next regional president. The impact of Puigdemont's return on this arrangement remains to be seen.
"All people have the right to self-determination."
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the Catalan independence issue continues to be a significant factor in Spanish politics. Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and the second-largest city in Spain, remains at the center of this ongoing debate about regional autonomy and national unity.