Catalan leader accepts elections but stays in Brussels

Alyssa McMurtry

MADRID (AA) - Carles Puigdemont, the dismissed president of Catalonia, said on Tuesday he plans to remain in Belgium until Spain offers him legal guarantees of a fair trial.

Puigdemont also announced he would accept the results of snap Catalan elections to be held on Dec. 21, called by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy after Spain’s central government took direct control of the separatist region.

“Wherever there are ballot boxes, we will be there,” said the pro-separatist politician, who could face 30 years behind bars after Spain’s public prosecutor announced on Monday he is seeking charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of funds against Catalan government leaders, including Puigdemont, for last Friday’s declaration of independence.

Despite a Belgian minister publicly floating the idea that Puigdemont could get political asylum on Sunday, the Catalan leader said on Tuesday he is not seeking asylum, but will stay in Brussels until he can be sure he will get a fair trial in Spain. Five other dismissed Catalan politicians have accompanied him.

“It’s not a question of Belgium, it’s that Brussels is the capital of Europe. I’m here to act with freedom and safety,” Puigdemont said, adding he decided to leave so he would not subject his compatriots to a violent crackdown from Spain.

However, he also announced that those pro-separatist politicians who remain in Catalonia will continue their work in the region, despite the fact that they have been fired by Spain’s central government.

Shortly after his speech, key Catalan politicians, including the former vice-president, appeared in the regional parliament in Barcelona according to images from local broadcasters.

“None of us have abandoned our positions,” Puigdemont added, after being widely accused of fleeing the country by Spanish media.

Puigdemont also called on groups throughout Catalonia, including trade unions, to non-violently resist Spain’s direct rule and the possible “dismantling” of Catalan institutions.