Catalonia's Leadership Vote May Be Overshadowed by Puigdemont's Arrest

Catalonia's parliament is set to elect a new leader, but the vote could be overshadowed by the return of former leader Carles Puigdemont, despite an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Puigdemont's potential detention may lead to the suspension of the vote. The amnesty law excludes Puigdemont, complicating the political landscape.

The parliament of Spain's Catalonia region is preparing to elect a new leader this week. However, this significant event might be upstaged by the potential return of former leader Carles Puigdemont, who faces an arrest warrant.

Puigdemont, the figurehead of the separatist party Junts, led Catalonia during the controversial 2017 referendum on independence. His return from self-imposed exile raises questions about how he will evade police and enter the regional parliament.

Jordi Turull, secretary-general of Junts, has indicated that the vote will be suspended if Puigdemont is detained, claiming it cannot proceed normally without his presence. The vote aims to invest Socialist Salvador Illa as the new leader, backed by the ERC party.