Yesterday, Spanish police were scouring the sewers in Catalonia, stepping up their search efforts after Carles Puigdemont, the exiled separatist leader, declared he would sneak back into Spain to influence a crucial vote for a new regional president.
In a bid to prevent any dramatic breaches, authorities took extra precautions, including sealing a door connecting the Catalan Parliament with Barcelona Zoo. This move was designed to ensure the security of the vote, scheduled for today.
Carles Puigdemont, who has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium for the past seven years, stirred up considerable attention by announcing his return via a video posted on X.
In his video, Puigdemont stated, “I have started the return journey from exile,” signaling his intent to disrupt the current political landscape.
The Catalan Parliament, a historic building that has stood for 300 years and was once an arsenal, is now surrounded by heightened security. The 76-acre Parc de la Ciutadella, which houses the Parliament, has been restricted to one entrance only, with strict identification checks in place.
Authorities are conducting a meticulous room-by-room search of the Parliament building, including the basement, to ensure no one unauthorized gains access.
The route leading to the zoo, which borders the building on three sides, has been closed off and heavily guarded.
A spokesperson for the Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force, explained that these security measures are standard procedure ahead of any investiture ceremony.
The spokesperson also noted that anyone found in the area with an outstanding arrest warrant would be taken into custody.
Legal and Political Implications
The Socialist-led national government in Madrid had previously approved an amnesty in May, which dismissed legal proceedings against many separatists involved in the 2017 referendum.
However, the Supreme Court ruled last month that this amnesty did not cover Puigdemont’s outstanding embezzlement charge.
Potential Impact on Regional Politics
An arrest of Puigdemont could potentially destabilize the region and disrupt the delicate coalition government in Spain, which depends on Junts votes to pass legislation.
Speculation has been rife about how Puigdemont might make his dramatic return, with theories ranging from disguises to using a hot air balloon.
Puigdemont’s Political Ambitions
Puigdemont chose not to participate in the European elections in June, opting instead to pursue the Catalan presidency. Although he finished second to Salvador Illa, the Socialist candidate who is forming a minority government, Puigdemont hopes that his presence could sway elected members to reconsider the current deal.
Reactions from Local Politics
The moderate socialist party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, which is currently governing Catalonia, described Puigdemont’s anticipated return as an “exceptional moment,” highlighting the significance of his possible reentry into the political arena.
TDPel Media
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