The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, stated that the courts cannot exceed their authority when interpreting the amnesty law, and that this should have put an end to the judicial aspect of the Catalan independence movement. Puente criticized the Supreme Court for not fully benefiting former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont by refusing to pardon him for the offense of embezzlement. He defended the government’s enactment of a clear and definitive amnesty law, and called on the judges to interpret it according to its literal meaning. Puente expressed hope that the Constitutional Court would intervene to resolve the issue and allow for the implementation of the amnesty law.
The Supreme Court ruled on July 1 that embezzlement of public funds is not eligible for amnesty in the case of the Catalan independence movement leaders, including Oriol Junqueras and Carles Puigdemont. The Popular Party demanded that Puente retract his statements and criticized his confrontational attitude towards the judiciary. They urged Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to clarify his stance on the issue. The PP accused Puente of focusing on criticizing judges rather than managing his ministry effectively. They emphasized the need for Puente to prioritize his responsibilities related to transportation infrastructure.
Puente’s comments also sparked controversy regarding the agreement between the PSC and ERC parties to grant Catalonia a unique financial status. He reassured that the agreement would respect the principle of solidarity and called for calm among other Spanish regions that are concerned about potential implications. Puente emphasized the importance of waiting to see how the agreement unfolds and addressing the details during its implementation. He suggested that the system of financial distribution should ensure fairness among all regions, highlighting the need for fiscal responsibility among autonomous communities.
When asked whether meeting Catalonia’s demands would impact resources allocated to other regions, Puente underscored the need to assess the entire financial system. He criticized territories that complain about being underfunded while enjoying tax exemptions on major property-related taxes. Puente advocated for greater accountability among autonomous communities in funding their operations and proposed a comprehensive review of the financial distribution system. He suggested that adjustments may be necessary to ensure a more equitable and sustainable financial framework for all regions in Spain.
