One of the most high-profile cases in recent years has begun in Spain — the trial of the family of former Catalonia president Jordi Pujol. The hearings are being held at the National Court and directly concern not only Pujol’s personal history, but also the entire political system he built since 1980. On the agenda are the role of corruption schemes in consolidating power and enriching the close circle of the former head of the region.
Judicial rulings in recent years have already put an end to the question of illegal financing of the Convergència Democràtica party, which Pujol led until 2012. In particular, the Palau de la Música case and other proceedings against allies from Unió Democràtica led to both parties effectively ceasing to exist. These verdicts not only undermined trust in political structures but also became a key factor in assessing the entire Pujol era.
Corruption and political legacy
Even if Pujol himself is acquitted of criminal charges, the political assessment of his activities has already changed. Court materials point not to isolated mistakes, but to a systematic practice of clientelism and manipulation that enabled him to hold power for decades. As observers note, the Pujol era is now associated not with achievements, but with large-scale corruption schemes.
Against this backdrop, the contrast with the reaction of other Spanish parties is particularly striking. While Convergència and Unió failed to survive blows to their reputation, the Partido Popular, despite facing similar or even more serious accusations, continues to remain in politics, raising questions about double standards and the level of political accountability.
A generational divide and a reassessment of legacy
Pujol’s long life allowed him to witness not only court proceedings but also radical changes in Catalonia’s nationalist movement. His successors — Artur Mas, Joaquim Torra, and Carles Puigdemont — rejected the political and legal framework that Pujol had helped create in the 1970s. They openly questioned both the Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy, symbolizing a break with the previous era.
In 2017, when Catalonia was at the center of a political crisis, Pujol watched as his successors effectively nullified the efforts of his generation. Many of his associates who had participated in establishing autonomy had already passed away by then and did not witness this dramatic turn of events.
Court proceedings and public response
Interest in the Pujol family case remains high, especially since previous trials failed to provide direct evidence of corruption by the former president himself. As discussed in detail in the article on the progress of the case against the Pujol family, the focus shifted to the business operations of his eldest son, and Pujol himself was removed from the list of defendants. Nevertheless, the political consequences for the entire Catalan governance system had already become irreversible.
