Fugitive former Catalan separatist chief Carles Puigdemont returned to Spain after seven years on Thursday earlier than disappearing once more.
The former regional chief had fled Spain over his function in a failed 2017 independence bid regardless of a pending arrest warrant.
Puigdemont shouted “Long live a free Catalonia!” as he climbed onto a stage in Barcelona to deal with 1000’s gathered close to the Catalan regional parliament, which is ready to elect a brand new chief later within the day.
“I have come here to remind you that we are still here,” he stated as many within the crowd waved purple, yellow and blue Catalan independence flags.
After his transient tackle, Puigdemont appeared to go in direction of the close by Catalan parliament however the meeting started an investiture vote to select a brand new chief for the area with out him being current.
It was not instantly clear the place he was.
Police had arrange roadblocks in Barcelona and have been looking automobiles to attempt to discover Puigdemont, in accordance with Spanish media experiences.
Contacted by AFP, police declined to remark if such an operation was underway.
Nuria Pujol, a girl in her fifties who got here to Barcelona from the Alt Penedes area to see Puigdemont, known as him “a very noble person.”
“(He’s) the only one who believes in independence and has not stopped believing,” she added.
A small group of protesters gathered close by, waving nationwide Spanish flags and holding indicators that learn “Catalonia is Spain,” in an indication organized by far-right get together Vox.
‘Problem with democracy’
Puigdemont’s dramatic return got here simply days after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialists struck a cope with average Catalan separatist get together ERC – which competes with Puigdemont’s extra hardline JxCAT – to make the Socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, the following head of the Catalan regional authorities.
The Socialists gained essentially the most seats in a regional election in May however did not get a majority and the assist of the ERC is essential.
If a brand new Catalan regional authorities isn’t shaped by Aug. 26, recent elections might be held in October.
Puigdemont led the regional authorities of Catalonia in 2017 when it pushed forward with an independence referendum regardless of a court docket ban, adopted by a short-lived declaration of independence.
He fled Spain shortly after the independence bid to keep away from prosecution and has since lived in Belgium and extra lately France.
While Spain’s parliament in May handed an amnesty regulation for these concerned within the botched secession bid, the Supreme Court dominated on July 1 that the measure wouldn’t absolutely apply to Puigdemont.
“A country that has an amnesty law and does not apply it, has a problem with democracy,” he stated in his speech.
Path to independence?
Sanchez agreed to the amnesty regulation in trade for JxCAT’s essential assist in Spain’s parliament for his fragile minority authorities, sparking enormous road protests that have been organized by the appropriate wing.
He is now going through opposition from components of his personal Socialist get together in addition to the appropriate over a proposal to provide Catalonia full management of the taxes collected within the area.
The measure was promised to the ERC in trade for the get together’s assist for Illa in Thursday’s Catalan investiture vote.
The proposal has for many years been one of many primary calls for of Catalan independence events however critics argue it could deprive the central state of a considerable income.
It should nonetheless be authorised by Spain’s nationwide parliament.
An identical system already exists in Spain’s northern Basque Country, which additionally has an energetic independence motion.
If Illa passes Thursday’s investiture vote, he would be the first head of Catalonia’s regional authorities since 2010 who doesn’t come from the separatist camp.
The former well being minister has defended the tax settlement made with the ERC, saying it was “favorable for all Catalans.”
“They are agreements designed to improve our finances without harming anyone and whilst respecting the principles of (fiscal) solidarity,” he stated after securing the ERC’s assist.
But former Socialist deputy prime minister Alfonso Guerra has stated the tax settlement opens “a path towards a federal system and the independence of Catalonia.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com