# Exiled separatist leader likely to return to a very different Catalonia

https://mins.news/en/item/85881

- The Guardian, 2026-10-05 04:00 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/05/exiled-separatist-leader-carles-puigdemont-return-catalonia

> Spain’s constitutional court is expected this week to rule that the 2024 amnesty law covers the misuse-of-public-funds charge against former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, clearing the way for his return after almost nine years in exile. Catalonia is now more cooperative with Madrid, while younger residents prioritise jobs and housing and the region has become more multicultural, making Puigdemont’s identity-based appeal harder to sell.

## Related coverage

- [Puigdemont welcomes Spain’s amnesty but says it will not solve Catalonia’s problem](https://mins.news/en/video/89202) — euronews, 2026-10-07
- [Catalan separatist leader Puigdemont set to return after arrest warrant lifted](https://mins.news/en/item/88536) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-06
- [Spain court lifts Puigdemont arrest warrant, clearing way for return](https://mins.news/en/item/88116) — DW, 2026-10-06