Exiled Catalan President Carles Puigdemont made a highly anticipated appearance near the Catalan Parliament today, marking a significant moment in his ongoing political saga.
Thousands of supporters flooded the streets of Barcelona to accompany Puigdemont, who has lived in exile since 2017 following an independence referendum that led to his legal troubles with the Spanish government.
The massive turnout underscored the enduring support for Puigdemont within Catalonia, as well as the continued division over the region’s push for independence.
The event was marked by heightened security, with tensions running high as the crowd chanted pro-independence slogans and waved Catalan flags. Puigdemont’s arrival near the Parliament has reignited debates about the region’s future and its relationship with the Spanish state.