Puigdemont’s presence in Barcelona
Last week, a remarkable event took place in Barcelona. Carles Puigdemont appeared again in a rally near the Arc de Triomf, coinciding with the investiture of Salvador Illa as the new president of the Generalitat. This situation posed an ethical and legal dilemma for the security forces.
The arrest warrant and its implications
With an arrest warrant out against him, the situation became complex. The Amnesty Law approved by the Spanish Parliament conflicts with court orders. If the agents had arrested Puigdemont, this would have been an act of judicial prevarication, a crime that cannot be ignored.
The police officers’ dilemma
A police officer is in a difficult position when he is ordered to act in a way that contradicts the law. Despite the authority of a judge, officers must respect the law. The responsibility to comply with the law is paramount, and pressure from a judge should not condition that decision.
The responsibility of the Minister of the Interior
Joan Ignasi Elena, Minister of the Interior, also found himself in a complicated position. If he had received instructions not to arrest Puigdemont, it would have created an internal conflict within the police force. His responsibility as police chief involves ensuring that the orders given respect the law.
An investiture marked by controversies
The investiture of Salvador Illa was not a clean process. The inability of the leader of the opposition to participate in the debate reflects the shortcomings of the democratic system. The police deployed an operation for the arrest that has no comparison with other situations of real threats.
The influence of judges in politics
Judicial intervention in Catalan political affairs has been persistent over the years. This situation calls into question the separation of powers, with judges expressing themselves on pending laws, which does not correspond to their role. The separation of powers is fundamental to the functioning of a healthy democracy.
Warnings ignored
The warnings of figures such as Siófra O’Leary, President of the High Court of Justice of the European Union, have been ignored. Spanish judges have continued to issue opinions on laws beyond their jurisdiction, even though an Amnesty Law has already been approved.
Final thoughts on legality
The key question remains: How should a police officer react when faced with a court order that clearly violates the law? Legal integrity must prevail over any instruction that could be considered illegitimate.