Carles Puigdemont, the former leader of Catalonia, is set to return to Spain on Thursday, despite the looming risk of arrest due to his involvement in the 2017 independence referendum.

The Spanish Supreme Court recently ruled that a new amnesty law does not apply to Puigdemont's charges, meaning the arrest warrant against him remains active.

Puigdemont faces serious allegations, including misappropriation of public funds linked to the illegal independence referendum, which has made his return a contentious issue.

His party, Junts per Catalunya, has organized a welcoming demonstration in Barcelona, coinciding with the parliamentary session where a new president is to be elected.

The parliamentary debate on the candidacy of Salvador Illa is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM, with a vote expected later that day.

The ongoing political situation in Catalonia continues to influence the governance of Spain, particularly as the national government relies on support from both the ERC and JxCat.

Tensions between the ERC and JxCat highlight the divisions within the Catalan independence movement, complicating the political landscape further.

Puigdemont has asserted that it is his democratic right to participate in the election for the new president of Catalonia, emphasizing the need for normal democratic conditions.

While Puigdemont's return is seen as a challenge to Spanish state repression, he has criticized the ERC for cooperating with the PSC, calling it a betrayal of the independence cause.

The potential jailing of Puigdemont could have significant implications for the future of Spanish politics and the fragmented independence movement.

Puigdemont's escape from Spain has become legendary among his supporters, while also serving as a source of embarrassment for Spanish authorities.