Puigdemont returns to Spain then disappears

Catalan police have launched an operation to find and arrest Carles Puigdemont and set up roadblocks on routes to the French border after the fugitive former regional president returned to Spain for the first time in seven years to address a crowd of a few thousand in Barcelona, then promptly disappeared.

- Stephen Burgen

Two officers in the Catalan regional police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, were arrested yesterday in connection with Puigdemont's escape, raising serious questions about the policing operation as the search brought Barcelona and the surrounding area to a standstill.

One of those arrested is alleged to be the owner of the car in which the former Catalan president fled.

A dramatic day that began with Puigdemont's reappearance and escape ended with pro-independence parties losing their grip on power for the first time in more than a decade.

Early yesterday evening, MPs in the regional parliament elected the pro-union Catalan Socialist party candidate, Salvador Illa a close ally of Spain's Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez - as the new regional president by a margin of 68 votes to 66.

The day's events could also have political ramifications, as the leader of Puigdemont's party, Jordi Turull, is expected to be summoned by police as a witness in the case.

Sánchez depends on the support of Junts per Catalunya's seven MPS in the Spanish parliament, leaving the separatist party with the power to torpedo key legislation.

A Mossos spokesperson said the force was looking into "any potential offences" committed in relation to the former president's escape.