Catalonian independence parties win most seats in blow for Spanish prime minister
FORMER CATALAN leader Carles Puigdemont has called for talks with his Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy following a regional election in Catalonia that gave pro-independence parties a parliamentary majority.
Mr Puigdemont, who fled Spain almost two months ago to avoid arrest after going against court rulings and pushing for unilateral Catalan independence, said in Brussels that the election opened up “a new era”.
He said he was ready to meet Mr Rajoy without pre-conditions anywhere in the European Union other than Spain.
He said: “More than two million people are in favour of Catalonia’s independence. Recognising reality is vital if we are to find a solution.”
Mr Rajoy called the snap election after Catalan separatists declared independence in October following a referendum deemed illegal by Spanish authorities.
The Spanish PM also sacked the Catalan government that Mr Puigdemont ran and dissolved its parliament. He has ruled out independence for the wealthy north-eastern Spanish region.
Though the pro-Spain Ciutadans (Citizens) party collected most votes, separatist parties won the most seats.
Mr Puigdemont’s Together for Catalonia snared 34 seats in the 135-seat regional assembly. Two other pro-independence parties made up the dominant bloc: the left-wing ERC party with 32 seats, and the radical CUP, with four.
Mr Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party came last with just three seats.