- Separatist Puigdemont returned to Spain
Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan separatist leader wanted on an arrest warrant, has returned to Spain after nearly seven years in exile. He appeared in Barcelona on Monday morning, accompanied by politicians from his party, and addressed supporters. "They've been hunting us for seven years, just because we wanted to give the Catalan people a voice," the 61-year-old said. He faces arrest due to allegations of personal enrichment. According to a media report, Puigdemont declined an offer from police for a pre-arranged, discreet arrest.
Puigdemont demands to be present at the planned election of Socialist Salvador Illa later in the day at parliament. Police planned to prevent this with a large deployment. Illa would be the first head of government in a long time to reject the secession of Catalonia from Spain. Illa's party emerged as the strongest force from the early election in May, but needs the support of the left-wing separatist ERC party. Illa secured this support through concessions on financial issues and promotion of the Catalan language.
Puigdemont's return to Spain sparked renewed discussions about separatism, with some advocating for his involvement in the secession movement once again. Despite Illa's rejection of Catholonia's secession from Spain, the issue of separatism remains a contentious topic in Catalan politics.
