Story perspectives

Supreme Court Annuls Puigdemont Arrest Warrant After Amnesty Ruling

By Drooid · Oct 7, 2026, 6:46 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Pablo Llarena Annuls Warrants

Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena annulled the arrest warrant for former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont.
The decision followed a 7-5 Constitutional Court vote to apply the 2024 amnesty law to misuse-of-public-funds offences.
The court also lifted arrest orders for former ministers Toni Comín and Lluís Puig.
Puigdemont called the ruling a “victory of the amnesty” but said it does not resolve the Catalonia-Spain dispute.

Summary

Junts Withdraws Candidate

Snap election scheduled for 29 November intensifies competition among Catalan parties.
Junts announced it will not field a candidate in the November vote to aid Puigdemont’s return.
Far-right Aliança Catalana is gaining traction as the main nationalist alternative.
ERC leader Oriol Junqueras credited ERC’s negotiations with the Socialists for the amnesty.
Junts rejected the Socialist housing reforms and alienated young voters facing high rents.

History

Historical Context

In October 2017, Spain invoked Article 155, dissolving Catalonia’s government after a referendum that reported a 92% turnout among voters. The Supreme Court then charged twelve separatists, notably Carles Puigdemont and Oriol Junqueras, with rebellion, imposing a €1.5 billion bail sum. The 2024 Constitutional Court’s 7-5 decision to apply the amnesty law echoes that 2017 crackdown, both aiming to settle the Barcelona-Madrid standoff. Given the 2017 precedent, the current ruling could steer future autonomy talks, affecting Spain’s EU standing and regional policy reforms.

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Pablo Llarena Annuls Warrants

Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena annulled the arrest warrant for former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont.
The decision followed a 7-5 Constitutional Court vote to apply the 2024 amnesty law to misuse-of-public-funds offences.
The court also lifted arrest orders for former ministers Toni Comín and Lluís Puig.
Puigdemont called the ruling a “victory of the amnesty” but said it does not resolve the Catalonia-Spain dispute.

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