Spain ‘won’t allow’ jailed Sanchez to replace Puigdemont in Catalonia
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont's support for prominent secessionist Jordi Sanchez has angered the Spanish government.
Inigo Mendez de Vigo, the spokesperson for Spain, said on Friday that authorities "won't allow it."
Some Catalans have continued to push for Puigdemont to be reinstated as their nation's leader, but he has been unable to attend parliamentary sessions in Barcelona.
Puigdemont said on Thursday he was "provisionally" renouncing his candidacy and would endorse Sanchez, the head of the Catalan National Assembly.
Justice Minister Rafael Catala noted the judicial system will decide Sanchez's fate.
Puigdemont fled to Brussels in late October after Catalonia's parliament declared independence. He currently faces extradition hearings.
"I am confident that we will win in the end," Puigdemont said in a video message, "and that I will one day soon, I hope, be able to return to Catalonia as a free man."
Puigdemont opted for the presidency not to declare independence in October following the victorious independence referendum; instead, the regional parliament put the declaration to an anonymous vote in a plenary session.
"We will achieve independence for the people we represent," he added. "That is our mandate, and we will fulfill it."
In addition to Sanchez, several names have been floated to follow Puigdemont.
Other separatist front-runners include: Jordi Turull (former Puigdemont cabinet member free on bail), Oriol Junqueras (former Catalan VP), and Elsa Artadi (an economist in Puigdemont's cabinet).
All have expressed reticence at announcing their candidacy out of fear of arrest by Spanish authorities.
Inigo Mendez de Vigo, the spokesperson for Spain, said on Friday that authorities "won't allow it."
Some Catalans have continued to push for Puigdemont to be reinstated as their nation's leader, but he has been unable to attend parliamentary sessions in Barcelona.
Puigdemont said on Thursday he was "provisionally" renouncing his candidacy and would endorse Sanchez, the head of the Catalan National Assembly.
The proposed Catalan leader, Sanchez, is currently jailed in Madrid on charges of rebellion and sedition.
Jordi Turull, Elsa Artadi Oriol Juqueras, and Jordi Sanchez are seen as possible candidates to replace Carles Pugdemont. Composite photo: AFP/Rudaw
Justice Minister Rafael Catala noted the judicial system will decide Sanchez's fate.
Puigdemont fled to Brussels in late October after Catalonia's parliament declared independence. He currently faces extradition hearings.
"I am confident that we will win in the end," Puigdemont said in a video message, "and that I will one day soon, I hope, be able to return to Catalonia as a free man."
Puigdemont opted for the presidency not to declare independence in October following the victorious independence referendum; instead, the regional parliament put the declaration to an anonymous vote in a plenary session.
"We will achieve independence for the people we represent," he added. "That is our mandate, and we will fulfill it."
In addition to Sanchez, several names have been floated to follow Puigdemont.
Other separatist front-runners include: Jordi Turull (former Puigdemont cabinet member free on bail), Oriol Junqueras (former Catalan VP), and Elsa Artadi (an economist in Puigdemont's cabinet).
All have expressed reticence at announcing their candidacy out of fear of arrest by Spanish authorities.