Catalan separatist Puigdemont to return to Spain after warrant lifted

Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont is set to return to Spain after a Supreme Court judge lifted his arrest warrant on Tuesday. The move follows a ruling by the Spanish Constitutional Court that an amnesty law applies to embezzlement charges against him. Puigdemont, who was president of Catalonia during the 2017 independence bid, fled to Belgium to avoid prosecution.

Legal victories and political fallout

In 2017, Puigdemont held an independence referendum that Madrid declared illegal. Catalonia then unilaterally declared independence, with 90 percent of voters backing the breakaway. Spain made several extradition attempts, but Puigdemont avoided them all. Many of his confidants and supporters spent time in prison.

Jordi Turull, secretary-general of Puigdemont’s Junts party, called the development “a great victory for President Puigdemont and the two other exiled [leaders in Belgium]”. He added: “They held firm, they resisted, they prevailed in Europe, and today they have prevailed against the Spanish state.” Puigdemont’s return comes as Spain prepares for a snap election in November. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the vote after his government lost two key parliamentary votes this week. A year ago, Junts withdrew support for the minority central government, but in 2023 it had backed Sanchez in exchange for amnesties. Sanchez said he did not regret the amnesty and welcomed the court ruling, telling reporters: “I believe the important message is that of coexistence among Catalans.”

Separatism has lost ground, with Junts trailing in opinion polls. The conservative People’s Party is leading, and may need Junts’ support to govern. Puigdemont is unlikely to take part in the election, according to a Junts official. Still, his return could prompt renewed political drama.