Catalan legislators to vote on Puigdemont comeback
Barcelona, Jan. 30: Catalan lawmakers are scheduled to vote on Tuesday on a bid by Catalonia’s ousted separatist leader Carles Puigdemont to form a new government, setting the stage for a fresh showdown with Spain’s central government which removed him from office.
Puigdemont moved to Belgium shortly after Catalonia’s Parliament declared independence in October and he faces arrest if he returns to Spain for leading the secession bid in the wealthy northwestern region that is home to some 7.5 million people.
But last week the new speaker of the Catalan PParliament nominated Puigdemont to lead Catalonia again, with the regional assembly set to begin debating on his candidacy at 3.00 pm ( 1400 GMT) under tight security. Puigdemont’s supporters have been Brussels, Jan. 30: A final warning has been issued to polluting European Union nations to clean up. The EU summoned ministers from France, Germany, Great Britain and six other polluting member states for a “final chance” on Tuesday to comply with the air quality standards. Brussels could follow through on threats to take them to the European Court of Justice, the block’s highest encouraged to demonstrate outside of the assembly at that time, bearing paper masks with a likeness of his face which could be downloaded off the internet.
The Catalan Parliament speaker maintained the session of parliament even though Spain’s Constitutional Court ruled on Saturday — in response to a lawsuit filed by the central government — that Puigdemont must be present at the assembly to be chosen as the region’s chief. tribunal, if they fail to change course.
EU environment commissioner Karmenu Vella “will give ministers the opportunity and the final chance to find solutions”, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said. Environment ministers of France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Hungary, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania were summoned.