The future of Carles Puigdemont and other Catalan politicians has once again taken center stage in Spanish society. The Constitutional Court’s decision not to lift the suspension of the arrest warrant for the former head of Catalonia came as an unexpected twist for many who had hoped for a swift resolution. For Spaniards, this is more than a legal formality — the outcome will determine whether key figures in the case will be able to return to the country and participate in political life.
Judges of the Constitutional Court have chosen a cautious strategy: they are in no hurry to issue a final verdict on the amnesty law, preferring to wait for the position of European institutions. This approach raises questions among politicians and experts, since both the fate of individuals and the stability of Spain’s political system hinge on the speed and character of the decision. Not only Puigdemont, but also other leaders of the Catalan movement, including Oriol Junqueras—who remains barred from holding public office—are left waiting for an answer.
Prolonged anticipation
At the heart of the dispute is the interpretation of the amnesty law, which was meant to be a compromise between Madrid and Barcelona. However, Spain’s Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo) refused to apply it to charges of embezzling public funds, sparking a wave of appeals from Catalan politicians. Now the Constitutional Court is obliged to consider not only Puigdemont’s complaint, but also similar petitions from other prominent figures: Jordi Turull, Toni Comín, Lluís Puig, Raül Romeva, and Dolors Bassa.
While judges are in no hurry to make a decision, tension is mounting in legal circles. Many believe the delay is tied to awaiting the position of the European Court, which is set to rule on complaints submitted by Spanish institutions against the amnesty law. These complaints claim that the Spanish statute contradicts fundamental principles of European Union law and could affect the EU’s financial interests. Yet it is already clear: the European Court’s Advocate General has rejected the concept of ‘self-amnesty’ and found no evidence that events in Catalonia harmed European funds.
Political stakes
For Catalan leaders, the issue goes beyond personal freedom. The Constitutional Court’s decision will determine whether they can participate in future elections and hold government positions. This is particularly crucial for Junqueras and others who have yet to receive full amnesty on embezzlement charges. Their supporters fear that further delays could deprive them of a chance to return to mainstream politics.
At the same time, debates rage on in political circles in Madrid and Barcelona about the legitimacy of the Supreme Court’s stance in refusing to apply the amnesty to certain charges. Some experts believe that if the European court finds no violations in the Spanish law, the Supreme Court is unlikely to find new grounds to continue the fight. Nevertheless, the prospect of new appeals and legal maneuvers cannot be completely ruled out.
Final chapter or a new beginning
The wait for the Constitutional Court’s final decision could stretch until May 2026. This period will test everyone involved, from the politicians themselves to their supporters and opponents. Should the court side with the Catalan leaders’ appeals, Spain’s political landscape could shift in the most unexpected ways. However, if the ruling goes against them, the conflict between Madrid and Barcelona may flare up with renewed intensity.
For now, an atmosphere of uncertainty persists in Spain. Every new move by the court is closely monitored not only by politicians, but also by ordinary citizens, for whom the amnesty issue has become a symbol of the struggle for justice and national unity. Ahead lie months of anticipation, where each decision could become a starting point for new disputes and unexpected twists.
