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Deposed Catalan Leader Says, ‘Ready To Run’ In Regional Elections

Catalonia’s deposed separatist leader Carles Puigdemont said Friday he was ready to run as a candidate in snap regional elections next month after his government … Continue reading Deposed Catalan Leader Says, ‘Ready To Run’ In Regional Elections


Catalan regional government president Carles Puigdemont  PAU BARRENA / AFP

Catalonia’s deposed separatist leader Carles Puigdemont said Friday he was ready to run as a candidate in snap regional elections next month after his government was fired by Madrid for declaring independence.

“I’m ready to be a candidate,” Puigdemont told RTBF television in Belgium, where he is currently holed up after leaving Catalonia at the weekend. “I want to send a message to our people.”

A Spanish judge on Friday issued an EU arrest warrant against the deposed president of Catalonia — a region of 7.5 million that remains deeply divided over the issue of independence.

“I will face justice, but (only) true justice… I told my lawyers to tell the Belgian judiciary I am completely ready to cooperate,” Puigdemont said.

Madrid last month dissolved Catalonia’s parliament after regional lawmakers voted to declare independence from Spain off the back of a banned referendum on the issue.

Puigdemont’s deputy and seven other deposed regional ministers were detained Thursday in Madrid.

New regional elections are set for December 21.

 

AFP