#CatalanCrisis: Madrid says Puigdemont is welcome to run for elections
After Catalonia declared independence recently, Madrid sacked Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and called for fresh elections to be held. The Spanish government has now said that Puigdemont will be welcome to contest in the elections. igo Mndez de Vigo, a Spanish government spokesperson stated that Puigdemont has a right to continue in politics and exercise his right of democratic opposition.
What was the Catalan independence referendum?
On October 1, Catalan leaders held a referendum in defiance of Madrid to ascertain whether its population backed independence from Spain. 90% of 2.2 million voters, who amounted to 40% of Catalonia's population backed independence. Madrid deployed its police forces to forcibly prevent voting. The crackdown left 900 people injured. Numerous anti-Spain protests erupted afterward, with organizations including FC Barcelona backing Catalan independence.
Catalan Parliament declares independence from Spain
On 27 October, Catalonia's regional parliament has voted in favor of independence from Spain, ahead of a Spanish Senate vote to seize Catalan region's autonomous powers. Seventy Catalan lawmakers voted for independence while 10 opposed. Opposition members walked out before the vote in protest. Earlier, Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy had said that direct rule was necessary to return "law, democracy, and stability" to Catalonia.
Spanish PM dissolves Catalan parliament after independence declaration
On 28 October, Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy dissolved the Catalan parliament after MPs voted to declare independence from Spain. Rajoy, had earlier warned Catalonia that Madrid would move to suspend the region's autonomy. He dismissed Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and his cabinet. The Catalan crisis began after its leaders defied a Constitutional Court ruling to hold an independence referendum.
What does Puigdemont say?
In a pre-recorded address to the Catalan people, Puigdemont termed Spain's bid to impose direct rule "premeditated aggression" which runs contrary to the will of people. He said that "in a democracy it is parliaments that choose or remove presidents." He urged people to continue on the path of Catalan independence in an inclusive manner, while respecting people, symbols and opinions.
#CatalanCrisis: What are the latest developments?
The Spanish government has proceeded to suspend Catalonia's autonomy and handed over its control to Deputy PM Soraya Saenz de Santamaria. Madrid has also moved to sack top Catalan police officials in a bid to take control of it. Meanwhile, a poll published by Spanish newspaper El Pais indicated that 43-52% of Catalans favored the dissolution of the parliament and called for fresh elections.
