Puigdemont to ask for judicial authorization to be reinstated as Catalan president

Carles Puigdemont will ask for a judicial authorization in order to be able to attend the Catalan Parliament next Tuesday and be reinstated as government president, one of his ministers said on Sunday.

The announcement comes a day after the Spanish Constitutional Court ruled that Puigdemont’s swearing-in would only be possible if he returns to the country, where he faces criminal charges for pursuing independence.

The Catalan leader is thus attempting to follow the path set by the highest court in Spain and  get a green light from the Supreme Court. It is not clear, though, whether he will get the authorization or not. And it is not clear how will pro-independence parties proceed if Puigdemont’s request is dismissed.

In an interview with the Catalan radio, a minister of the deposed Catalan government, Josep Rull, did not comment on the possibility of Puigdemont attempting to return despite lacking a judicial authorization—a prospect which has gained ground over the past few weeks.

The Spanish government has launched a major police operation to prevent a surprise arrival of Puigdemont, with a higher number of officers patrolling the border, and some even examining the sewerage system of the Parliament. Last week, the Spanish Home Affairs minister said that Puigdemont would not be able to enter the country—not even inside the trunk of a car.