The former president of the Catalan Parliament, who is currently abroad to avoid being put in prison by the Spanish government after his failed attempt to declare Catalonia’s independence, has announced that he is abandoning his bid to reclaim the Catalan presidency after the regional elections which took place on 22 Dec.
Puigdemont issued a statement in the form of a 13-minute video which he shared on social media. He expressed how saddened he was to step down and said he would be backing fellow pro-independence MP Jordi Sanchez who is presently in prison on suspicion of sedition.
The former Catalan leader also reiterated that he was not giving up, that he is going to set up a foundation abroad – the Council for the Republic. Through the foundation he will continue to make the case for Catalonia’s independence.
“I will not throw in the towel, I will not quit, I will not give up in the face of the illegitimate behaviour of those who lost at the ballot box or the capriciousness of those who are prepared to forfeit the rule of law and justice as the price for national unity,” he said.
> Naomi Round
Puigdemont Abandons Attempt to Retake Catalan Presidency
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