Catalan separatist leader becomes Spain's kingmaker as support for independence wanes

The Spanish prime minister is trying to strike a deal with Mr. Puigdemont, a journalist turned leader of the independence movement Together for a Catalan Credit. : Jean-Francois Badias/AP

In the cramped office of the 18th-century Catalan Parliament of Barcelona hangs a huge poster of Carles Puigdemont with the inscription: «Our President.»

The legacy of Mr. Puigdemont, who spent his life fighting for the collapse of his country hangs not only over this office, but also over Spain.

His case received an unexpected boost after a recent general election that cast Catalonia's secessionist leaders as unlikely king makers of Spain.

Pedro Sánchez, the country's socialist prime minister, is currently trying to strike a deal with Mr. Mr. Puigdemont, a journalist turned leader of the independence movement Together for Catalonia.

“This is a good opportunity for Catalonia. For many years there has been a conflict between Spain and Catalonia. The Spanish justice system is still prosecuting 4,000 people,” Josep Rius, vice president of Together for Catalonia, told The Telegraph.

“Mr Sanchez said the conflict is over. We say it's not true.»

Sanchez has the best chance of forming a coalition government, as he has previously made alliances with the Basque and Catalan nationalists. Photo: Emilio Morenatti/AP

Mr Rius wants Spain to introduce an amnesty law that would pardon all those accused of Catalonia's failed bid for independence in 2017, including Mr Puigdemont.

He thinks a pardon could unite the divided independence movement. His party has long been at odds with the more moderate Catalan Republican Left, which controls regional power.

On Saturday, the votes of Spaniards living abroad deprived Mr. Sanchez's socialists of another seat in Madrid, who went to their own rivals of the conservative People's Party (NP).

This means that the Socialists, their far-left allies Sumar, and the Catalan and Basque nationalists have 171 deputies, the same number as the right-wing PP bloc, the far-right Vox party and the Union of the Navarrese people.

To return to office , Mr Sanchez now has to convince Together for Catalonia to vote for his leftist bloc. Whereas on Friday he had more seats than PP and only needed them to abstain to get a simple majority in Parliament.

This will give Mr. Puigdemont more leverage to demand a reward if he supports Mr. Sanchez.< /p> independence in Barcelona in 2017. Photo: LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images

Ironically, while Mr. Puigdemont's star is on the rise, the independence movement is on the wane.

As soon as the esteladas — Flags of the independence of Catalonia with a white star on a blue background fluttered from almost every balcony. No more.

Yellow ribbons were painted everywhere for prisoners or exiled separatists, but they have since disappeared.

On the streets of Barcelona today, it seems like the failed independence bid in 2017 never happened again. was not.

Nevertheless, the seismic shock caused by this desire to create the newest European state is still being felt, albeit in a quieter form. .

At the time, footage of Spanish police clashing with voters on the streets of a major European city in front of tourists circulated around the world.

Today, the fight for the Breakaway State continues in air-conditioned offices as secessionist politicians plan their next move.

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After an inconclusive election under last Sunday's hot summer sun, the Spanish right and left are struggling to form a government or return to elections later this year.

Mr. Puigdemont is likely to demand another independence referendum to support Mr. Sanchez's government. Credit: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

The price to support Mr. Puigdemont will not come cheap: another referendum and amnesty for the roughly 4,000 people who face indictment and jail time for the 2017 splinter proposal.

Anti-independence Mr Sanchez can't grant a referendum as it would require changes to Spain's constitution.

And an order to stop legal cases against the separatists would raise accusations of government interference in the judiciary.

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Ironically, Spain found itself in the thrall of a man whom Spanish judges tried repeatedly and failed to extradite to stand trial on charges of embezzlement and disobedience. If found guilty, he could face a prison term of up to eight years.

Increasingly, Catalans have more pressing concerns than independence.

A survey conducted in May for the CEO of a Catalan regional government polling company found that 52% of the region's residents opposed secession from Spain, while as 42% were in favour, up from 49% six years ago. cent.

Riot police clash with protesters after the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders in 2019. Photo: Felipe Dana/AP. Sunday's election results, in which the two main separatist parties lost 550,000 votes compared to the last elections in 2019, while the Socialists gained 418,000 votes.

Analysts say this was due to Mr. Sanchez to interact with the separatists.

Adrian Sas, 24, a shop owner from Vilafranca de Penedès in Catalonia's wine region, could be a pawn in the standoff between Sánchez and Puigdemont.

He was sentenced to more than three terms. Six months in prison after being found guilty of public disorder, causing bodily harm and disobeying authorities during a 2017 vote demonstration. He filed an appeal and is awaiting the result.

“This court case is intended to try to isolate us from political activity, but thanks to friends who are fighting fascist repression,” he told The Telegraph.

Despite erratic support, the separatists believe that they have no choice but to insist on voting for secession from Spain.

A demonstrator is holding a sign that reads: &#39 ;Enough cheating! Independence Now' Photo: JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images

Dolors Feliu, chairman of the National Assembly of Catalonia, an influential civil group, believes that only a dramatic gesture like an amnesty or a referendum will convince Mr. Puigdemont.

“We do not want to help Mr. Sánchez's investiture. . Over the past four years, despite the start of dialogue with the independence parties, nothing has changed,” she said.

Santi Vila, who was finance minister in the Catalan government that held the 2017 referendum, has seen it all before. and does not hope that both sides will be able to reach an agreement.

“I doubt that the socialists will be able to convince Puigdemont. He wants a referendum and an amnesty, and that will be difficult,” he said.

Away from the glamorous streets of Barcelona lies the working-class suburb of Hospitalet de Llobregat, where Fernando Villalba grew up.

He turned to Vox after the 2017 crisis. If Mr. Puigdemont returns to Spain as a free man, he believes it could rally the extreme right, whose votes have fallen in the elections.

“Half of Catalonia hates this man. If Sanchez let him go, a lot more people will go back to Vox,” he said.