The proposition is firm: Carles Puigdemont will return to Catalonia on the day that the Catalan Parliament holds its investiture debate. The confirmation has been given by the exiled pro-independence politician's lawyer, Gonzalo Boye, who affirmed that "he has never been concerned about an arrest". After the amnesty law was published this Tuesday in Spain's official state gazette, judge Pablo Llarena stated in a court ruling that he is maintaining the arrest warrant against Carles Puigdemont, Toni Comín, Lluís Puig and Marta Rovira. Over the likelihood that Puigdemont will be arrested when he returns to Catalonia, and there could occur a situation similar to what happened with fellow exile Clara Ponsatí - arrested and released within hours - Boye pointed out that "the most normal thing would be for them not to arrest him" and that starting from such a circumstance "everything would be an abnormality". In an interview with radio station RAC1, he made it clear that "we are ready for all scenarios".
The judges' actions
Boye commented that Puigdemont has never fled Catalonia since "he established his residence in Brussels before there was a criminal process. I don't know where the risk of flight is, given that every time he has been cited in different countries he has appeared there". The lawyer acknowledged that he is worried that judge Llarena will leave the crime of misuse of public funds out of the amnesty, although he has affrimed that "the law is clear, what he is doing is interpreting Article 2 of the law in a biased way". However, if the Supreme Court decides to leave the misuse of funds out of the amnesty "the corresponding appeals will be lodged", said Boye, insisting on the clarity of the law, and that "a judge must interpret the law and not rewrite it". In relation to the crime of terrorism, Boye affirmed that if the judges leave it out of the amnesty they will go to Europe: "The Court of Justice will make it very clear. There has been no crime of terrorism." In any case, he recommended that the Supreme Court prosecutors make "a calm and comprehensive reading" of the amnesty law, and added that the Venice Commission "made it very clear that misuse of public funds is included in the actions that can be amnestied".
Asked about the scenario they expect with the possible imminent return of Puigdemont to Catalonia, Boye stated that "a large majority of Catalans will be very happy", but acknowledged that anything could happen. "We have been prepared for all scenarios for seven years."
The return of Puigdemont
Carles Puigdemont stated before the Catalan election in May that he would return to Catalonia for the investiture debate, a commitment that is firm, as several members of Together for Catalonia (Junts) have reiterated. It was confirmed by the general secretary, Jordi Turull, on Tuesday; the spokesperson for the party, Josep Rius, who affirmed that "he maintains the commitment to be present at the investiture debate, even at the risk of being arrested. We hope that this situation does not occur". The Junts president, Laura Borràs, also repeated the line and pointed out that "Puigdemont was very clear, he will return for the investiture debate".
Since the publication of the amnesty in the BOE and the subsequent warning from the Supreme Court that it was maintaining the arrest warrant, Puigdemont's silence has been absolute and he has not said a word on social media or in any interview.