Puigdemont can return to Spain

Spain's Supreme Court lifted the national arrest warrant for Catalan independence leader Carles Puigdemont after the Constitutional Court approved applying the amnesty law to embezzlement. Puigdemont, who left Spain after the failed independence attempt, can now return; the order also covered former regional ministers Toni Comín and Lluís Puig.

• Nearly nine yearsTime abroad before warrant lifted — Since leaving Spain
• 7–5Constitutional Court vote on appeal — Judges split along blocs
• 29 NovSpain's scheduled general election — Campaign is under way

Q1

Why did Puigdemont leave Spain?

He left after Catalonia's failed independence attempt and lived in Belgium while Spanish courts pursued proceedings over that campaign.

Q2

Which appeal shaped the court ruling?

Dolors Bassa challenged an earlier refusal to apply amnesty to her embezzlement conviction; the Constitutional Court accepted her appeal.

Q3

How did the Constitutional Court vote?

Seven judges backed Bassa's appeal and five opposed it, splitting the court's progressive majority from its conservative minority.

Q4

Is Puigdemont planning an immediate return?

No. He has ruled out an immediate return and assigned party spokeswoman Míriam Nogueras a central campaign role.

• La Nacion
• El Tiempo
• Semana
• Europa Press
• Deutsche Welle
• La Razon
• ANSA
• El Mundo