Carles Puigdemont Returns to Spain After Exile

Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan separatist leader, has announced his return to Spain after seven years in self-imposed exile, coinciding with the swearing-in of Socialist Salvador Illa as the new Catalan president. His return could lead to immediate arrest due to pending charges related to the 2017 independence referendum, which could incite unrest in Catalonia and destabilize Spain's Socialist-led coalition government. Although an amnesty law was passed to ease his return, the Supreme Court ruled it does not cover his embezzlement charge, thus maintaining the arrest warrant against him. Puigdemont expressed his commitment to attending the parliamentary session, asserting that his arrest would be illegal, while Catalonia's police are prepared to enforce the court order. Supporters are expected to gather in significant numbers, setting the stage for a dramatic scene. The situation poses a critical challenge to Spain's ruling coalition, which relies on Puigdemont's party for legislative support.