Barcelona — Political tensions in Spain continue to evolve after Carles Puigdemont, a member of Catalonia’s separatist party, returned and then fled the country within a week. Unfortunately, his flight—and the way it occurred—further strains the Spanish government, which has spent the past few years contending with the ongoing debate surrounding Catalonia independence. Puigdemont, the former regional president of Catalonia, reappeared in Barcelona last Wednesday, escaping another chance to arrest him.
Puigdemont’s brief return to Spain
Former Catalan president and key figure in the new independence bid, Carles Puigdemont, returned to Spain on Thursday after seven years in exile. A rally of his in Barcelona last week was interpreted as a show of strength and influence among the Catalan separatist movement. But he spent little time during his stay in Spain. Puigdemont quickly left after speaking to supporters, evading Spanish authorities who had been out with a warrant for his arrest
The Catalan regional police mossos d’esquadra said in a statement late on Monday that Puigdemont avoided arrest with the help of his followers, who blocked entry to try and protect him as he hurried into another vehicle. The officers involved were just meters behind the car as it sped away, leaving police red-faced at their inability to catch him. Sallent said that after extensive efforts, they had no proof that Puigdemont left Spain but added that it seemed he was in Belgium.
Implications for the law and politics
The flight of the exiled Puigdemont has important legal and political consequences. The lead investigating supreme court judge has questioned regional and national officials about the misfired operation. This latest episode has not only highlighted the difficulties facing the Spanish government in handling Catalonia’s secessionist movement but has also enraged opposition parties.
The conservative opposition People’s Party (pp) has been especially critical, demanding the resignations of Spain’s interior and defence ministers. The PP, which has always fought the separatists’ tooth and nail, says prime minister Pedro Sanchez is undermining the rule of law by proposing to give pardon for political complicity. Critics have grown more vociferous in recent weeks since Puigdemont fled the country to avoid arrest, with a warning from the pp that it boded ill for Spain’s political environment going forward.
Questions about Puigdemont’s location
Compounding the confusion, Puigdemont’s Belgian lawyer, Simon Bekaert, said his client was either in southern France, near Catalonia, or in Belgium. This has created an extra headache for Spanish authorities trying to pin down where Puigdemont is hiding. His ability to travel across borders while on a live arrest warrant betrays the challenge faced by Madrid if it is ever to lay hands on him.
Puigdemont still faces charges of embezzlement over the 2017 independence referendum, deemed illegal by Spanish courts. Spain earlier pardoned some of those convicted over the secession attempt by parliament, but ruled that Puigdemont was not eligible for this. He has repeatedly accused the charges against him of being politically driven, insisting that the referendum was a legal reflection of Catalonia’s wishes.
Impact on Spanish politics
Indeed, the further political developments of interest flowing from Puigdemont’s escape are substantial. These actions could upset the tenuous alliances that have helped underpin Sanchez’s minority government. Junts, which counts Puigdemont among its leaders, has been a key partner for Sanchez. But jaunts is re-considering its support of the government now, with party general secretary Jordi Turull outlining that they could strip backing for Sánchez unless Madrid guarantees it will extend a law of amnesty to Puigdemont.
There has been no comment on the jaunts threat by Sanchez’s government, which also did not respond to criticism from opposition parties. Tensions will only grow further as the Catalan independence movement confronts an emboldened Spanish state, with Puigdemont’s determination representing one of the main flashpoints. Amidst growing unrest and uncertainty, the government is facing an uphill battle to stabilize at a time when political pressure has piled up.
