Puigdemont calls for a joint candidature for December 21 elections

The dismissed Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, called for a joint and transversal candidature including all pro-independence parties for December 21 elections. Puigdemont stated that the December 21 elections called by the Spanish Government through Article 155 are “an opportunity to defeat unionism” and a “decisive election between democracy and imposition.” “This is the moment for all democrats to unite. For Catalonia, for the freedom of political prisoners and for the Republic,” wrote Puigdemont on Twitter.

Puigdemont, willing to run in the December 21 elections

The dismissed Catalan president revealed that he was willing to run in the December 21 elections. Indeed, Puigdemont is ready to do so even if it means presenting his candidature from abroad. In an interview with Belgian RTBF broadcaster, the deposed Catalan president also affirmed that he is ready to turn himself in to the “true justice,” that is, that of Belgium, but “not to that of Spain.” Puigdemont also added that he is not “afraid” to speak with Spanish president Mariano Rajoy and that he’s still “ready to talk.”

• “This is the moment for all democrats to unite. For Catalonia, for the freedom of political prisoners and for the Republic”Carles Puigdemont · Deposed Catalan president

On the same day, National Court Judge Carmen Lamela issued a European arrest warrantfor the deposed Catalan and the four dismissed ministers who are in Belgium. The Spanish Prosecutor’s Office had already requested the warrant on Thursday, and it was then issued on Friday. The Belgian Prosecutor has now received the arrest warrant, and will begin reviewing it on Saturday November 4.

Thus, Lamela rejected the request that the accused be allowed to make their statements via videoconference from Belgium. According to the court ruling, there are “no prior cases to authorize the measure.” The crimes they are being accused of in the arrest warrant are for rebellion, sedition, misuse of funds, breach of official duty and disobedience of lawful authority.

Source:catalannews.com