Rosalind Evans
Puigdemont’s Unexpected Return to Barcelona
Former Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont dramatically returned to Barcelona on Thursday, defying an arrest warrant and appearing at a rally after seven years in self-imposed exile. The rally in the Catalan capital was a bold move by Puigdemont, who aims to rekindle the independence movement that caused political turmoil in Spain in 2017. “They thought they’d be celebrating my arrest, and they thought that this punishment would dissuade us,” Puigdemont declared. “Well, they are wrong.”
A Frantic Search and Arrests
Following his speech, Puigdemont reportedly fled the scene in a white car belonging to a regional police officer, sparking a frantic search by authorities. The Catalan Interior Department spokesperson revealed that Puigdemont’s escape led to the arrest of two Mossos d’Esquadra officers, including the car’s owner. The regional police had been set to arrest Puigdemont but decided to delay the action to avoid public disorder, according to a Mossos spokesman. The hunt for Puigdemont created significant traffic chaos in Barcelona and near the French border, with police setting up roadblocks and conducting car searches.
Political Repercussions and Public Reaction
The escape has led to criticism from various quarters. A Supreme Court source emphasized that the Mossos had clear instructions to detain Puigdemont. “The Mossos know that they have a detention order… they had the obligation to detain him and bring him before the courts,” the source stated. National police unions, including Jusapol, condemned the Mossos for failing to arrest Puigdemont, questioning their effectiveness and loyalty.
Catalonia’s Political Landscape
Puigdemont’s return and subsequent disappearance have political ramifications. His arrest could threaten the Socialist-led national government’s tenuous alliance with Puigdemont’s Junts party, which is crucial for legislative support. Meanwhile, Catalonia’s parliament confirmed Salvador Illa, an ally of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, as head of the Catalan government, marking a shift in Catalonia’s leadership after a decade of separatist rule. “I will govern for everyone, taking into account the plurality and diversity of Catalonia,” Illa said.
The Symbolic Significance
The rally, which drew a crowd of thousands hoping for a resurgence of the independence movement, saw Puigdemont described as a symbol by supporters like Xavier Vizcaino, 63, wrapped in an independence flag. Former Barcelona Mayor Xavier Trias, present at the rally, described Puigdemont’s escape as “magic,” highlighting the dramatic and unpredictable nature of the events.
