Spanish obsession: Police to prevent Puigdemont entering Catalonia ‘even inside the trunk of a car’

The Spanish government has pledged to do everything in its power to stop Carles Puigdemont from being sworn in as president in the Catalan Parliament. In an interview with a Spanish TV network on Tuesday, the Home Affairs minister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, said that a police operation is being prepared to prevent a surprise arrival of Puigdemont, who has been outside the country since October.

‘The border to cover is large, not only are there main ways of crossing it, but also country roads. He could enter the country by helicopter, an ultralight aircraft, a ship,’ said Zoido. ‘We’ll try to prevent him getting into the Parliament, even inside the trunk of a car.’

After the Catalan Parliament president Roger Torrent on Monday confirmed plans to move forward with Puigdemont’s investiture, the question now is how will the pro-independence parties address the challenge of electing someone who is outside Catalonia, and who will be arrested once he sets foot on the country.

The Spanish vice president, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, ruled out any chance of Puigdemont being able to take his post. In a harsh criticism of the pro-independence leader, Santamaría accused him of acting ‘ridiculously’ and in a “shameful” way. ‘It’s like if I wanted to be president from the Caribbean,’ she said.

Zoido stressed that Puigdemont cannot escape Spanish justice, and in case he plans to return, a group of Spanish police and Guardia Civil experts are figuring out all possible scenarios. According to the minister, the are only two options for the Catalan leader: either hand himself in, or renounce and let another person be president.

Puigdemont left Catalonia in late October, after the Spanish government dismissed him and his ministers following a declaration of independence. The ministers who stayed were sent to jail. Four pro-independence leaders currently remain in prison, facing charges of rebellion that carry sentences of up to 30 years in prison.

In the December election, called from Madrid after it imposed direct rule on Catalonia, Puigdemont became the most voted candidate on the pro-independence side. This would grant him the support of a majority of MPs in the Parliament, but whether he can make it to the chamber without being arrested—or whether he can claim the presidency at a distance—remains to be seen.