Press
The former president of Catalonia is the focus of Sunday’s election. Despite his exile in Belgium, Puigdemont is aiming for another term in office and is causing a stir.
Barcelona – “The time to return has come,” announced the leading candidate and former regional president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, on Friday (May 10th) at the end of the election campaign. Puigdemont fled into exile in Belgium in autumn 2017. The former regional president cannot enter Spanish soil without being arrested. The separatist leader still wants to be elected head of government in the parliamentary elections in Catalonia on Sunday (May 12).
On Sunday, Catalonia will elect a new autonomous government, the Generalitat. Despite the arrest warrant against him, Puigdemont sees himself as a possible president of the Generalitat. His party, Junts, is in second place in the polls, behind the Socialists led by Salvador Illa. Nevertheless, as runner-up, Puigdemont could have the chance to return to the Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona.
The expected constellations after the parliamentary elections could make this possible. According to forecasts, the Socialist Party of Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, with its leading candidate Salvador Illa, will have around 40 MPs, but will miss the absolute majority of 68 seats. It is uncertain whether the separatist parties together can achieve a majority of 68 seats.
“Messianic pilgrimages” to Puigdemont’s campaign events
The 61-year-old ran his campaign for the Catalonia election on Sunday from the south of France. The candidate, who was actually declared dead, held campaign events in Argèles-sur-Mer, France, near the border with Catalonia. The community hall, which had a capacity of around 1,500 people, could not cope with the influx. On some days up to 1,500 people had to stay outside. The newspaper El Mundo referred to the gatherings as “messianic pilgrimages.” Despite the arrest warrant against him, Puigdemont has many supporters in Catalonia.
Puigdemont runs in Catalonia elections despite arrest warrant
Entering parliament and becoming president would be a challenge for the 61-year-old Puigdemont, also because of the arrest warrant against him. If he entered Spain he would be arrested immediately.
Puigdemont has been a fugitive from Spanish justice since his failed attempt to secede and his escape six and a half years ago. At the end of February, the Supreme Court in Madrid even opened criminal proceedings against him for terrorism EUMPs. After fleeing into exile, Puigdemont remained active in regional politics and led Junts per Catalunya from Belgium.
Planned return to Spain could be made possible by Sánchez’s amnesty law
The former head of government is now not just hoping for one Return as Catalan regional president, but also a return home to Catalonia. This could be done by Prime Minister Sánchez amnesty law passed for Catalan independence supporters become possible. The Spanish parliament is due to finally vote on the law later this month, despite bitter opposition from right-wing and ultra-right parties. In the event of his party’s defeat, Puigdemont has already announced his withdrawal from regional politics. (dpa/pav)
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