Spanish police launched a search operation in sewers across Barcelona yesterday following Carles Puigdemont’s announcement of his plan to sneak back into Spain for a critical vote on the new regional president.
In preparation for today’s vote, authorities have taken significant security measures. They’ve sealed off a door linking the Catalan Parliament to Barcelona Zoo, aiming to prevent any potential breaches of the premises.
The 300-year-old Catalan Parliament building, once an arsenal, is nestled in the 76-acre Parc de la Ciutadella. Security personnel have restricted access to just one entrance, requiring formal identification for entry.
Carles Puigdemont, who has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium for the past seven years after an illegal independence referendum in 2017, recently caused a stir. In a video posted on X, he announced his return from exile, setting off a major alert.
Authorities are conducting a thorough search of the Catalan Parliament building, including the basement, while guarding all routes to the zoo that encircles the building.
A spokesman for the Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police, described these actions as standard procedure for any investiture ceremony but noted that anyone found in the area with an outstanding arrest warrant would be taken into custody.
Earlier this year, Spain’s Socialist-led government in Madrid approved an amnesty that dropped legal proceedings against hundreds of separatists involved in the 2017 referendum.
However, the Supreme Court recently ruled that this amnesty did not cover Puigdemont’s embezzlement charge. The potential arrest of Puigdemont could create significant unrest in the region and disrupt the fragile coalition government in Spain, which depends on Puigdemont’s party for legislative support.
Speculation and Public Reaction
As speculation grows, some believe Puigdemont might use a disguise or even a hot air balloon to make a dramatic entrance. While he opted out of the European elections in June to run for the Catalan presidency, he finished second to Socialist candidate Salvador Illa, who is now forming a minority government.
Puigdemont hopes his presence might sway elected officials to reconsider their agreements. Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, the region’s moderate socialist party, has described Puigdemont’s potential return as an “exceptional moment.”
TDPel Media
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