Spain’s future could be in the hands of one man exiled in Belgium

Spain: Pedro Sanchez on Puigdemont extradition election pledge

Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who has been in self-imposed exile in Belgium since 2017, finds himself at the centre of a political crossroads following Spain’s recent July election.

His potential influence could determine whether Spain’s Socialists retain power or if the nation heads towards yet another round of elections.

Puigdemont, a separatist MEP and a key figure in the Catalan independence movement, holds the potential to sway the balance of power in Madrid.

He is currently wanted by the Spanish judiciary for his role in an illegal independence referendum in 2017.

Puigdemont’s seven MPs could provide the much-needed support for either the Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez or the centre-right’s Alberto Núñez Feijóo to form a governing coalition.

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With neither the Socialists nor the centre-right holding enough seats to secure an independent government, the backing of Puigdemont’s MPs becomes a critical factor.

Sánchez’s hold on power could be maintained if he secures the support of Puigdemont’s faction, but the challenge lies in the deep-seated distrust between the two opposing camps.

Puigdemont’s demands, which include an amnesty for all those implicated in the 2017 Catalan independence referendum and the prospect of a new independence vote, have proven to be a stumbling block in negotiations.

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Sánchez finds these demands too significant to accommodate, setting the stage for difficult and complex negotiations.

The separatist movement has seen a decline in momentum since Puigdemont’s failed attempt to declare Catalonia a republic.

However, from his refuge in Waterloo, Belgium, Puigdemont remains resolute in his leadership of the independence cause, considering himself both its driving force and embodiment.

Political analysts are closely watching this delicate situation, as the outcome of the negotiations could shape Spain’s political landscape for years to come.

Speaking to Politico, journalist Jordi Amat said: “There is Puigdemont the person, the one who has spent six years in exile, persecuted and ridiculed.

“But that person is merged with his own conception of himself as the leader of the independence movement.”

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