From Prats de Molló, close to the Catalan border, Lluís Puig said Spanish Supreme Court judges could face “exile” if they disobey the amnesty law. Puig, who is in exile, made the remarks from Casa Macià as a ruling from the European Court of Justice on the law approaches.
Puig said he is frustrated that the Supreme Court did not apply the amnesty law two years ago, even though it had been approved by the Spanish parliament. He also said the Constitutional Court is waiting to rule on appeals until after the ECJ decision, something he described as the court “taking away its own authority”.
He said the Constitutional Court could deal with the appeals within 48 hours if it chose to. Puig also recalled the emotional impact of earlier hopes of returning to Catalonia, saying the disappointment was hard for him and those close to him, before adding that “life goes on”.
Puig described the Supreme Court’s refusal to apply the law as an “anomaly” and as disobedience of a democratically approved and published law. He said he expected the judiciary to apply legislation passed by the legislative branch, and questioned whether it was naive to expect that to happen. For more Catalonia coverage, see our news tag page.
He also said political interference should not be needed in a consolidated democracy, and argued that if opposition politicians can create obstacles, it shows democracy is still “very precarious”. Puig said no one has applied enough pressure to ensure the law is carried out, and he expects further delays.
Puig said there is still strong public support for the exiles, pointing to weekly events across Catalonia in support of freedom and amnesty, especially in Terrassa, where he said such acts have taken place daily since the start of the exile. He added that being close to Catalonia in Northern Catalonia helps him meet people and organisations, and keeps him connected.
He also said he continues to take part in Catalan parliament work remotely. Puig referred to the yellow ribbons on the seats of President Carles Puigdemont and himself as a reminder of the “democratic anomaly”, and said a recent attempt by Vox’s presidency of the Petitions Committee to stop his remote connection was overturned by legal staff. Puig said he will stand firm for as long as he is causing trouble, and said he expects to return before Christmas, though he did not specify which year.
