Constitutional Court clears path for Puigdemont’s return and full amnesty for independence leaders

The Spanish Constitutional Court is poised to extend the controversial amnesty law to former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and other leaders involved in the independence movement. This decision comes after the court rejected a draft ruling by conservative judge José María Macías that upheld the Supreme Court's refusal to grant an amnesty for the misuse of public funds.

The Constitutional Court's progressive majority has signaled its intention to overturn the Supreme Court's interpretation of the amnesty legislation, which could have far-reaching implications for several key figures in Catalonia. The immediate case revolves around Jordi Turull, a former Catalan government minister and secretary-general of the pro-independence Junts per Catalunya party, who appealed against the Supreme Court's decision to exclude his conviction for misuse of public funds from the amnesty.

The Constitutional Court will now issue a revised judgment, which is expected to be considered at its next plenary session on October 6th. If the Constitutional Court's decision is confirmed, it could potentially pave the way for Puigdemont's return to Spain, who is currently under an arrest warrant due to his involvement in the 2017 independence referendum.