This is how Toni Comín's return on foot to Catalonia via the Coll dels Belitres went

Portbou (Alt Empordà)Toni Comín has stepped on Catalan soil again. He did so on Sunday, October 25, after one in the afternoon, crossing the Belitres pass on foot, the administrative border with France, in a very symbolic and emotional act, accompanied by his closest friends and family. The former Minister of Health had already gone on Thursday to Madrid to swear in as a Member of the European Parliament and, during the 9-year period of exile in Belgium, he had been to Northern Catalonia on a few occasions, but it was not until this Sunday that he officially entered the Principality, protected by the amnesty, without the risk of being arrested by the Spanish authorities.

Comín planned a walk of just over an hour, from the Cerbère lighthouse in Roussillon to Portbou, the northernmost village of the Alt Empordà, emulating the memory of the republican exiles who crossed this border pass during the 1939 retreat. He was accompanied by more than a hundred friends and relatives who had come from all over the country, many of whom he had not seen for a long time, with whom Comín did not stop sharing kisses, hugs, and photographs as he met them along the way. He was also followed by pro-independence militants with 'estelada' flags to show their support, as well as representatives of politics and civil society, among them Josep Rius, spokesperson for Junts, Laura Borràs, Xavier Antich, president of Òmnium, the MEP for the 'comuns' Jaume Asens, and the republican Isaac Peraire. Also present were members of the ANC, the AMI, and the former 'convergent' deputy Oriol Pujol, while Jordi Turull was unable to attend due to the death of his mother.

"This is a party, I want today to be a song to friendship and freedom, a day to make use and abuse of the word thank you”,said Comín upon crossing the border, in a long speech of gratitude with a much more personal than political content. One by one, he named his daughter, sister, partner, nephews, cousins, childhood friends, university friends, friends from Belgium, colleagues from the Department of Health, neighbors from Castellterçol, Gonzalo Boye, Carles Puigdemont... Also his mother, his brother, or his friend Jordi Vila-Aadal, who died during the exile journey. "This morning my whole life has been reunited," he summarized. And, to finish, in a more defiant tone, he said: "Today we have won, that a member of the October 1st government returns home free is the last thing the Spanish State wanted. It is not the definitive victory, but it is very important. We have broken the State's backbone with courage and strategy. The fight for independence continues and it is possible".

A 2-hour walk to put an end to 9 years of exile

The walk began at twelve noon, on a splendid autumn day, without wind and with a calm sea, from the lighthouse of the town of Cerbère in Northern Catalonia. The march climbed the steep and narrow path that skirts the rugged cliffs along the sea, until it leveled off on the Catxalots path that leads to the mountain pass, with spectacular views of the Albera and Cap de Creus. There, at almost 200 meters of altitude, next to the Generalitat memorial that commemorates the exiles of the Civil War, is where Comín delivered his speech.

Once in Empordà territory, past the blue sign with the letters of Spain and the stars of the European Union on the road, Comín and part of his entourage walked down the GR-92 path to Portbou. The route ended at the town beach, under the imposing memorial dedicated to Walter Benjamin, a symbol of exile in the 20th century. At the exit of Cerbère, the town's mayor, Christian Grau, received Comín, but in Portbou, the very young socialist mayor Gael Rodríguez did not make an appearance.

In total, a day of more than three hours that puts an end to 9 years of exile. From Portbou, Comín can now travel to Castellterçol, the town where his mother and brother are buried, and move freely throughout the country. The Junts politician intends to settle and live in Catalonia, but without leaving his current residence in Leuven, near the chamber of the European Parliament. After swearing the Spanish Constitution this week, he will finally be able to attend plenary sessions without obstacles.