Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó

Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó is a Catalan politician and current president of Junts per Catalunya (Junts), a leading figure in Catalan pro-independence politics.

Political career

Born in 1962, Puigdemont came to politics after a background in journalism and local public life in Catalonia. Before entering elected office, he built his profile as a communicator and activist in the Catalan national movement, which later shaped his political identity.

His institutional career developed first at municipal level. He became Mayor of Girona (2011–2016), a role that brought him national visibility in Catalonia. As mayor, he was associated with local governance, the promotion of Girona’s public image, and a style of politics rooted in Catalan cultural and identity issues.

Puigdemont’s career moved decisively to the centre of Catalan politics when he was appointed President of the Government of Catalonia (2016–2017). He succeeded Artur Mas at a crucial moment in the pro-independence process. During his presidency, the Catalan administration advanced towards the unilateral independence referendum of 1 October 2017, which became the defining event of his political life. After the Catalan parliament’s unilateral declaration of independence later that month, the Spanish government applied Article 155 of the Constitution, suspended Catalan self-government, and dismissed his cabinet.

Following those events, Puigdemont left Spain and has since lived primarily outside the country, becoming a central figure in the political and legal conflict between the Catalan independence movement and the Spanish state. He continued to shape the movement from exile and, in 2020, became President of Junts per Catalunya (2020–present), consolidating his role as the party’s most recognisable figure and strategic reference.

Relationship with the public

Puigdemont has a highly polarised relationship with the public. Among supporters of Catalan independence, he is often seen as a symbol of resistance, political continuity and legitimacy after the 2017 crisis. His exile has reinforced this image for many voters who view him as a leader targeted by the Spanish state for his role in the independence process.

At the same time, he is one of the most divisive political figures in Spain. Critics, especially among unionist voters, view him as responsible for deep institutional confrontation and for pushing Catalonia into a unilateral path that increased political instability. In the media, he remains a high-profile and frequently covered figure, with strong resonance in Catalonia, Spain and across parts of Europe because of the long-running dispute over his legal status and political future.

His public style combines symbolism, disciplined messaging and strong emphasis on sovereignty, self-determination and democratic mandate. He has maintained significant influence over the pro-independence electorate even while outside Spain, which is unusual in contemporary Spanish politics.

Positions and political profile

Puigdemont is identified above all with Catalan independence and the defence of the right to self-determination. He presents the conflict with the Spanish state as a matter of democratic legitimacy, national rights and political recognition. Within Junts, he is regarded as the movement’s most authoritative voice and the person who best embodies its confrontational, sovereignty-focused profile.

Key themes in his political discourse include:

• Independence for Catalonia and the legitimacy of a unilateral mandate if negotiations fail.
• Institutional sovereignty, particularly against perceived centralising pressure from Madrid.
• Political legitimacy of the 2017 referendum, which he continues to defend as a democratic exercise.
• Pragmatic nationalism, balancing ideological firmness with tactical alliances when useful to strengthen Catalan interests.

He is often perceived as a politician with strong symbolic power and clear ideological identity, but also as a figure whose decisions have carried high institutional costs. His role in the 2017 events remains the most important defining moment of his career. Supporters see courage and consistency; detractors see unilateralism and confrontation. Inside Junts, he is dominant and direction-setting, though the party also reflects broader currents of Catalan conservative and post-convergent politics.

No final court conviction for a public-office-related offence has been recorded against him at last instance.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Carles Puigdemont? Carles Puigdemont is a Catalan politician, born in 1962, and the current president of Junts per Catalunya (Junts). He is best known for having been president of the Government of Catalonia during the 2017 independence crisis.

What political party does Puigdemont belong to? He belongs to Junts per Catalunya, the pro-independence Catalan party that he has led since 2020.

What offices has Puigdemont held? He has been Mayor of Girona (2011–2016) and President of the Government of Catalonia (2016–2017), before becoming President of Junts per Catalunya.

Why is Puigdemont a controversial figure? He is controversial because of his central role in the 2017 Catalan independence referendum and the subsequent unilateral declaration of independence, which led to a major institutional crisis and his departure from Spain.

What is Puigdemont’s main political stance? His main stance is the defence of Catalan independence, self-determination and the legitimacy of the 2017 independence process.

Is Puigdemont still influential in Catalan politics? Yes. Despite living outside Spain, he remains one of the most influential figures in Catalan politics and the key reference point for much of the pro-independence electorate.