Could Carles Puigdemont be a Scarlet Pimpernel for our times?

Some places must struggle for independence until they win it because their circumstances are intolerable. In more fortunate places—like Scotland, Quebec, and Catalonia—independence is only an option.

Carles Puigdemont, leader of the Catalan separatist movement, was smuggled into Spain to give a brief speech to his supporters on Aug. 8, before fleeing back to Belgium to avoid arrest by Spanish authorities.Creative Commons 2.0 photograph courtesy of Flickr

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

August 12, 2024

Carles Puigdemont, the self-exiled leader of the Catalan separatist movement, aspires to become the new Scarlet Pimpernel. Last week he left Belgium, where he has lived as an unwelcome guest since he led a failed attempt to secede from Spain seven years ago, and had himself ...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy