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Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont launches new party | Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont launches new party |
(about 2 months later) | |
A year after threatening the unity of Spain with an attempt to declare independence, the former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont launched a new party on Saturday, as part of a new bid to rally separatists from his base in Belgium. | A year after threatening the unity of Spain with an attempt to declare independence, the former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont launched a new party on Saturday, as part of a new bid to rally separatists from his base in Belgium. |
Tensions flare at Barcelona protests on anniversary of independence vote | Tensions flare at Barcelona protests on anniversary of independence vote |
The new group, named Crida Nacional (National Call), held a founding congress on Saturday evening, marking the one-year anniversary of the secession push, but it has struggled to attract a groundswell of support, with some allies being held in Spanish jails and others choosing a more moderate political path. | The new group, named Crida Nacional (National Call), held a founding congress on Saturday evening, marking the one-year anniversary of the secession push, but it has struggled to attract a groundswell of support, with some allies being held in Spanish jails and others choosing a more moderate political path. |
The meeting of Puigdemont’s new party was held in the pro-independence town of Manresa, in the centre of Catalonia, near the prison where independence leaders are being held. | The meeting of Puigdemont’s new party was held in the pro-independence town of Manresa, in the centre of Catalonia, near the prison where independence leaders are being held. |
“A year ago we decided that we would continue the fight, whatever the conditions and circumstances, and that we would commit ourselves to building a better country, a republic,” said Puigdemont said in Brussels of the new party. | “A year ago we decided that we would continue the fight, whatever the conditions and circumstances, and that we would commit ourselves to building a better country, a republic,” said Puigdemont said in Brussels of the new party. |
In a speech relayed on a giant screen to his supporters, he alluded to divisions within the separatist camp, insisting on “moving forward united” rather than apportioning blame. | In a speech relayed on a giant screen to his supporters, he alluded to divisions within the separatist camp, insisting on “moving forward united” rather than apportioning blame. |
However, many of his former allies who have adopted more moderate and pragmatic positions have refused to join the new party. | However, many of his former allies who have adopted more moderate and pragmatic positions have refused to join the new party. |
The current Catalan leader, Quim Torra, in a sombre televised address to mark the October 27 2017 declaration of independence, said: “The year that separates us from this historic date did not unfold as we wished … [but] turning back is not an option.” | The current Catalan leader, Quim Torra, in a sombre televised address to mark the October 27 2017 declaration of independence, said: “The year that separates us from this historic date did not unfold as we wished … [but] turning back is not an option.” |
The independence declaration threw Spain into political turmoil, with the central government ousting Puigdemont, who then fled to Belgium, dissolving parliament and imposing direct control over the wealthy north-eastern region. | The independence declaration threw Spain into political turmoil, with the central government ousting Puigdemont, who then fled to Belgium, dissolving parliament and imposing direct control over the wealthy north-eastern region. |
Polls in December saw separatist parties once again win an absolute majority in the regional parliament. | Polls in December saw separatist parties once again win an absolute majority in the regional parliament. |
Flags, passion and anger: reporting from a divided Spain | Flags, passion and anger: reporting from a divided Spain |
But Torra, who regularly seeks counsel from Puigdemont, presides over a Catalan government divided between those who back disobedience to advance the cause of independence and those who favour dialogue with new Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez. | But Torra, who regularly seeks counsel from Puigdemont, presides over a Catalan government divided between those who back disobedience to advance the cause of independence and those who favour dialogue with new Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez. |
The trial of 18 former Catalan leaders over their role in the separatist push, expected to start in early 2019, has helped to keep the separatist camp mobilised. | The trial of 18 former Catalan leaders over their role in the separatist push, expected to start in early 2019, has helped to keep the separatist camp mobilised. |
Carles Puigdemont | Carles Puigdemont |
Catalonia | Catalonia |
Spain | Spain |
Europe | Europe |
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