An Unexpected Loss in the Morning
In the middle of the silent dawn, the news of the death of Núria Casamajó Ruiz, mother of the former president in exile Carles Puigdemont, shocked the Catalan political and social world. The news came from the Josep Trueta Hospital in Girona, where Puigdemont’s mother had received medical attention.
Puigdemont’s absence in his mother’s final moments was a hard blow, since exile prevented him from saying goodbye to her as usual. However, the former president suspended a campaign event scheduled for that day in Argelers, as a sign of mourning.
Expressions of Affection and Condolences
The Catalan political and cultural world united in a chorus of condolences to express their condolences to Carles Puigdemont and his family. From the president of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, to the PP candidate, Alejandro Fernández, through leaders of Junts per Catalunya, everyone showed their most human face.
President Aragonès, through a message on Twitter, conveyed his condolences to Puigdemont: ‘In these difficult moments, repression and exile once again show their cruelty. All our support.’
The general secretary of Junts, Jordi Turull, also expressed his esteem for Puigdemont: ‘For you, your brothers and the entire family, our warmth in these moments of pain for the loss of your mother.’
The president of Òmnium Cultural, Xavier Antich, addressed his condolences to Puigdemont: ‘No one should be far from their loved ones in such difficult times. A very big hug for you and yours, president.’
Support from Exile and Politics
The general secretary of ERC, Marta Rovira, also in exile, described it as ‘unfair’ to have to go through a loss under these circumstances. ‘All our warmth for the family,’ she stressed.
The president of Junts, Laura Borràs, recalled how Puigdemont’s mother had made her pastry shop ‘a place where she was always present’. ‘The land collects the tithe,’ said Borràs, quoting the poet Miquel Martí i Pol.
The number 3 of Puigdemont’s candidacy, Josep Rull, conveyed a ‘huge hug’ to the family. ‘A woman of extraordinary firmness. She exuded kindness, tenderness and forgiveness,’ Rull said about Núria Casamajó.
The candidates of the Comuns, PSC and PP, Jéssica Albiach, Alícia Romero and Alejandro Fernández, also sent messages of support to Puigdemont. ‘I’m very sorry,’ Albiach said, while Fernández wished Puigdemont’s mother rest in peace.
The Pain of Distance
Puigdemont’s absence at the time of his mother’s death was a hard blow for the former president and his family. The former general secretary of Junts, Jordi Sánchez, sent a message of condolences through Twitter, as well as the number 1 of ERC in Girona, Laia Cañigueral.
The mayor of Igualada, Marc Castells, also expressed his support for Puigdemont: ‘All our support and warmth in these difficult moments, of pain and feeling, which are even more unfair given the indignity of exile.’
The distance imposed by exile added a layer of cruelty to the loss of Núria Casamajó. Puigdemont’s inability to say goodbye to her mother and be with her family at that moment was a reminder of the human consequences of political repression.
In the midst of pain and sadness, Carles Puigdemont’s mother will be remembered as a woman of strength and kindness. Her legacy will continue to inspire those who fight for freedom and justice in Catalonia.