Mossos 'Prepared' for Puigdemont's Return

Catalan Interior Minister Núria Parlon has stated that the Mossos d'Esquadra are fully prepared to guarantee the security of former president Carles Puigdemont should he return to Catalonia. In an interview with SER Catalunya on Wednesday 14 October 2026, Parlon affirmed that 'everything is ready' to ensure Puigdemont receives the protection due to a former head of the Generalitat. This comes after the Constitutional Court’s recent validation of the full application of the amnesty law, which cleared the path for Puigdemont’s potential return from self-imposed exile in Belgium. The Supreme Court has since lifted his arrest warrant, though final judicial confirmation is still pending.

No Return Expected During Election Campaign

Despite the legal developments, Parlon indicated that she has information that Puigdemont does not plan to return during the ongoing general election campaign. This aligns with statements from Puigdemont’s lawyer, Gonzalo Boye, who told Catalunya Ràdio that the former president 'will not return in the middle of the campaign, which is what the PSOE would want'. According to Público, Puigdemont’s inner circle is focused on preserving the 'institutional' character of his return, avoiding any perception of it being a political stunt tied to the 29 November elections. A senior Junts source told Público that 'we have to wait for everything to be fully resolved', adding that nothing is yet finalised.

The return of the president will be decided by the president.

Boye confirmed that the final step rests with the Supreme Court, which must formally apply the amnesty. He expects Judge Pablo Llarena to make a decision within days, followed by a one- to three-week review by the Supreme Court chamber.

Plaça de Catalunya Camp to Be Monitored

Parlon also addressed the ongoing protest camp in Plaça de Catalunya, noting that while it is not currently planned to dismantle it, the situation cannot persist indefinitely. She stressed that 'not all problems are public order issues', but reiterated that the presence cannot be permanent. The Sindicat de Llogateres has withdrawn from the camp following the election call and in preparation for a general strike. The Interior Department is coordinating with Barcelona City Council to monitor the situation and respond to any incidents, potentially involving mediation services.

Mossos Prepared for Escalated Protests

Asked about the risk of increased unrest, Parlon affirmed that the Mossos are ready to manage any escalation. She highlighted the role of public order units and mediation teams in coordinating with protest organisers, establishing routes, and preventing clashes between opposing groups. She defended the proportionality of police actions, noting that while most demonstrations in Catalonia are peaceful, isolated incidents involving small groups are difficult to prevent entirely. Parlon reiterated that evictions are carried out by Mossos in their judicial capacity and that broader housing issues require political, not police, solutions.

No Repeat of Teacher Assembly Infiltration

Regarding past controversies, Parlon insisted that there have been no further instances of Mossos infiltrating civic assemblies since the incident at a teachers’ gathering. 'From that incident, Mossos have not used this practice again in situations of this kind,' she said, adding that such operations now require higher-level oversight. She acknowledged political responsibility for the earlier case, noting that formal apologies had already been issued by the department, and distinguished between political accountability and the operational role of police leadership.

Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by cadenaser.com, abc.es, publico.es, elpais.com, VilaWeb, elmundo.es, Regió 7.