Puigdemont calls for Catalonia’s separatist parties to unite

CATALONIA’S ousted leader, Carles Puigdemont, has called for the region’s separatist parties to band together in next month’s elections and continue the independence drive after Madrid jailed eight of his former ministers.

The Spanish government had hoped to use the Dec 21 elections to defuse the political crisis, but Mr Puigdemont said yesterday that separatist parties should unite to win a clear mandate for independence. “It is time for all democrats to join together. For Catalonia, for the freedom of political prisoners and for the republic,” he said.

Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, invoked Article 155 of the constitution to impose direct rule on Catalonia, but has said he plans to restore the region’s autonomy after the December elections. However, if a separatist coalition prevails at the ballot box it would likely prolong the crisis.

Eight of Catalonia’s former ministers are being held in prison without bail, while Mr Puigdemont and four other ministers are on the run. Political parties have until Tuesday to register to run as a formal coalition. “The pro-independence parties are very conscious that these elections will have a major impact on international opinion,” said Jordi Matas Dalmases, a professor of political science at the University of Barcelona.

“If the pro-independence forces get a majority, it would be an extraordinary message in international terms.”