Catalan leader’s show of defiance
Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont refused to step down as the region’s president Saturday, hours after the Spanish government fired him.
Puigdemont, who leads Catalonia’s bid for independence, urged followers to oppose Madrid’s direct rule and decried the decision to fire him and take over the region’s government as “aggression.”
In a televised statement, Puigdemont vowed to “continue working to build a free country.”
Catalonia’s parliament — led by Puigdemont — on Friday passed a declaration of independence. That prompted the Spanish government to dissolve the parliament and take over the Catalan government, which is based in Barcelona.
It was the first time in the history of Spanish democracy that the national government has challenged the autonomy of one of its 17 independent regions.
Some Catalans are forming “defense committees” to resist the Madrid government’s takeover. Others are angry at the parliament’s attempt at independence.
“I’m just worried about the image we are projecting around the world,” Jaume Carens, a Catalan insurance salesman, told The Sunday Times of London.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” a Catalan police officer at the force’s headquarters told the newspaper. “I don’t like the idea of trying to break up demonstrations in which there are people I might know.”
Lluis Trapero, the Catalan police chief, said he plans to abide by Madrid’s orders to step down.
The Spanish government will hold a new election on Dec. 21.
If Puigdemont wants to stay in politics, he should run for election, Spanish government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo told Reuters TV.