Comín to Collect MEP Credentials in Madrid

Toni Comín, a former Catalan government minister and European Parliament election candidate, will travel to Madrid today, 22nd October 2026, to collect his MEP credentials from the Central Electoral Board (JEC), following the Constitutional Court's confirmation of his amnesty. This move clears the way for him to formally take up his seat in the European Parliament. Comín, who fled to Belgium in 2017 alongside Carles Puigdemont to avoid prosecution over the organisation of the independence referendum, has been living in exile in France. His return to Spain is made possible by a 7-5 ruling from the Constitutional Court on 6th October 2026, which upheld the application of the 2024 amnesty law to charges of misuse of public funds. As a result, Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena provisionally lifted the arrest warrant against Comín.

Amnesty Paves Way for Return

The Constitutional Court's decision, based on a draft ruling by President Cándido Conde-Pumpido, annulled previous Supreme Court orders that had denied amnesty to former minister Dolors Bassa. It established a binding legal doctrine for similar cases, including those of Comín and other exiled leaders. The ruling compels the Supreme Court to re-evaluate the cases and apply the amnesty to crimes of embezzlement linked to the 2017 independence push, provided there was no intent of personal enrichment. Despite being elected as a Member of the European Parliament in June 2024, Comín could not be formally certified because he did not appear in person at Congress to swear in under the Spanish Constitution, fearing arrest. The JEC had since left his seat vacant. With the amnesty now in effect, he has been officially summoned by the JEC to complete the process.

His return marks a significant step in the political reintegration of exiled Catalan leaders.

Symbolic Border Crossing Planned

Comín will return to French soil after completing the formalities in Madrid. He plans to make a symbolic return to Catalonia on Saturday 24th October, crossing the French border on foot via a mountain pass in the Pyrenees at noon. This event, confirmed in a private letter to his inner circle, is intended to mark the official end of his self-described exile. His return follows that of former Culture Minister Lluís Puig, who arrived in Terrassa yesterday, and precedes that of Carles Puigdemont, who plans to return after 29th November to avoid overshadowing the general elections. Relations between Comín and Puigdemont have cooled in recent years, particularly after Comín faced internal accusations of accounting irregularities within the Consell per la República, a parallel government body established during exile.

  • Comín served as Minister of Health in the 2017 Catalan government
  • He was elected MEP in 2024 but could not take his seat
  • Amnesty ruling confirmed on 6th October 2026
  • Arrest warrant provisionally lifted by Judge Llarena
  • Official return to Catalonia set for 24th October

Reported by Catalan News, elconstitucional.es, barcelonapress.com, Martí Odriozola i Marcé, elperiodico.com, 20minutos.es, El Mundo Cataluña.