Carles Puigdemont's Dramatic Return and Disappearance in Barcelona
Former President of the Generalitat, Carles Puigdemont, has made headlines once again by returning to Barcelona almost seven years after fleeing justice. His unexpected reappearance occurred on Thursday, coinciding with the investiture day of Salvador Illa, where Puigdemont managed to evade police detection and deliver a speech to his supporters at the Arc de Triomf, situated just a kilometer from the Catalan Parliament.
Witnesses reported seeing Puigdemont early in the day walking down Trafalgar Street alongside prominent party figures, including Josep Rull, the Parliament's president, and other notable JxCat leaders such as Jordi Turull, Laura Borràs, and Artur Mas. Following his address at the event organized by the Consell de la República—which was supported by groups including the Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC), Òmnium Cultural, and Associació de Municipis per la Independència (AMI)—he disappeared into the crowd before authorities could apprehend him.
In his brief but powerful speech, Puigdemont emphasized his ongoing commitment to Catalonia’s independence, stating, "Today many will want to celebrate my detention, but calling a referendum will never be a crime." He drew attention to what he described as a "fierce repression" against those advocating for Catalan independence, citing issues such as the politicization of justice and the influence of parties like the People's Party (PP) and Vox in pursuing political dissenters.
Puigdemont criticized the current state of amnesty laws in the region, arguing that a country with such laws that fails to provide true amnesty suffers from a democratic deficit. He ended his address by urging his supporters for reunification under the banner of Catalonia's freedom, expressing hope to see them again and to once more shout, "Visca Catalunya Lliure!"
Following his speech, Puigdemont was expected to attend the investiture session in Parliament. However, in a surprising twist, he successfully avoided the police cordon that had been set up to detain him, leaving many observers astonished. Reports suggest that shortly after stepping off the stage, he may have exited Barcelona altogether, disappearing from public view without a trace.
This episode raises questions about the ongoing political dynamics in Catalonia and Puigdemont's role within them. As political tensions mount surrounding independence movements, Puigdemont’s return brings both hope and uncertainty to his supporters, while also reigniting debates regarding the treatment of political leaders in the context of Catalonia’s autonomy. The ramifications of Puigdemont's bold move and subsequent disappearance will likely influence the region's political landscape in the days to come.
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