Puigdemont reaffirms his intention to return to Spain at an event in France.

Former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has once again stepped forward in his political struggle, reaffirming his intention to return to Spain at an event held this Saturday in southern France. Accompanied by leaders of his party, Junts, Puigdemont addressed around 2,200 people to present his vision on the political situation in Catalonia and his stance towards Pedro Sánchez's government. His promise of return coincides with the upcoming investiture debate, and Puigdemont has urged the Spanish government to avoid his arrest, referring to an outstanding arrest warrant against him. In an emotional and defiant speech, the former Catalan leader accused certain sectors of the judiciary of carrying out a "judicial conspiracy." According to Puigdemont, this conspiracy is manifested in the refusal to apply the amnesty law, which was passed to exonerate those involved in the independence process. "When they do not apply the Amnesty Law, they are committing a crime," he stated, demanding that the Attorney General act against what he considers an injustice. Puigdemont's rhetoric, which describes judicial resistance as a "challenge to democracy," resonates in a tense context where Catalan politics finds itself at a critical juncture. With a vehement tone, the former president called for "rearming" to confront what he considers a covert coup d'état, comparing the current situation to historical moments of crisis in Spanish democracy. Despite concerns expressed by some of his close associates about his return and the possible arrest he might face, Puigdemont made it clear that his decision will be political and not personal. "The decision to return from exile will not be personal, but political," he emphasized, convinced that he will not allow intimidation to deter him from his civic duty. "Whoever falls, falls, and whoever it weighs on, it weighs on," he declared, showing firm determination in what he sees as an unavoidable duty. The former president also underscored the importance of his presence in the Parliament during the investiture debate. "My obligation is to go to the Parliament if there is an investiture debate," Puigdemont reiterated, making it clear that only a "coup d'état" could prevent his return. In this sense, his message aligns with a broader strategy of claiming rights for Catalans and resisting what he perceives as an attempt at control by the Spanish state. As Puigdemont prepares for his possible return, his party Junts faces a complicated political situation. The party has expressed its opposition to the socialist candidate Salvador Illa, and its secretary general, Jordi Turull, has stated that they will do everything possible to prevent Illa from being appointed president of the Generalitat. The threat of a "Spanish nationalist" government has led Junts to intensify its efforts to mobilize citizens in defense of what they consider a "nation in danger." In the context of negotiations between ERC and the socialists, Puigdemont warned about the urgency of the situation, noting that "decisive days and weeks are coming." This statement highlights the pressure faced by the Catalan independence movement at a time when political dynamics can change rapidly. The rhetoric of Puigdemont and his party seeks to galvanize their base and keep the flame of political action alive in Catalonia. The perception that the future of Catalonia is at stake in these critical moments adds a layer of intensity to the already complex Spanish political reality. Puigdemont, who has been in exile for nearly seven years, is determined to shed the label of fugitive politician and become a key figure in Catalan politics once again. His speech, filled with symbolism and firmness, appeals to the recent history of Catalonia and the need to empower its citizens in the face of adversity. Puigdemont's return and his call for mobilization present not only a challenge for Sánchez's government but also a test for the cohesion and strategy of the independence parties in Catalonia. As the investiture debate approaches, attention will focus on how these events will unfold and to what extent they will influence the political future of the region and the country as a whole. The echo of his words resonates: "No one will be able to stop it," and the lingering question is whether he will truly be able to fulfill his promise to return and confront his detractors in the Catalan Parliament.