By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 22 Dec 2017 • 7:46
OUSTED Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has declared victory for the pro-independence parties in the regional election yesterday (Thursday).
Citizens (Cs) had 25.3% of the vote, winning 37 seats in the 135-seat chamber while Puigdemont’s party won the second largest number of seats with 34.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s PP, meanwhile, won only three seats, down from 11 in the previous assembly.
Turnout was more than 80%, a record for a Catalan regional election.
Speaking from self-imposed exile in Brussels Puigdemont hailed the result as a victory for the “Catalan republic”.
“This is a result which no one can dispute.”
Rajoy has lost the mandate he sought.”
“The republic of Cataluña has won… the Spanish state was defeated. Rajoy and his allies lost.”
“The legitimate government must return and the prisoners must be released.”
Puigdemont will now need to hold negotiations with the other pro-separatist parties to see if they can form a coalition.
Citizens (Cs) leader Inés Arrimadas said forming a coalition would be ‘difficult’ – “but we will try.”
“The pro-secession forces can never again claim they speak for all of Catalonia.”
“We are going to keep fighting for a peaceful co-existence, common sense and for a Cataluña for all Catalans.”
“Today we have sent a message to the world, that the majority of Catalans feel Catalan, Spanish and European and will continue to do so.”
Puigdemont: Catalan republic has won on Thursday, we expect apology from Madrid https://t.co/haLkhksGAI — Press TV (@PressTV) December 21, 2017
Puigdemont: Catalan republic has won on Thursday, we expect apology from Madrid https://t.co/haLkhksGAI
— Press TV (@PressTV) December 21, 2017
Share this story
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don't already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Download our media pack in either English or Spanish.