Fugitive Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont has vowed to return to Spain – and could upend the government

He fled to Belgium after a failed independence bid in 2017, and could still face arrest in coming back. But, writes Graham Keeley in Madrid, his decision to stand in Catalan’s region elections in May could have far-reaching consequences

Exiled Catalan separatist leader, Puigdemont, declaring his candidacy for the upcoming regional elections (AFP via Getty)

Fugitive separatist Carles Puigdemont has vowed to return to Spain seven years after fleeing the country, seeking to once again become the president of the Catalan region.

Puigdemont faces possible charges related to a failed independence bid in 2017, which forced him into exile in Belgium. He also faces another probe by an investigative judge into allegations he was the head of an internet-based group called Democratic Tsunami that organised protests in Barcelona and other parts of Catalonia that turned violent in 2019.

The door to campaigning in the Catalan elections, scheduled for 12 May, has been opened by a controversial amnesty law. Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, agreed to absolve him and hundreds of others facing possible charges – as part of a deal with two Catalan parties to enable him to form a new government following an inconclusive election last summer.