Spain: Catalans clash with police in Barcelona at pro-Puigdemont demo

Spain: Catalans clash with police in Barcelona at pro-Puigdemont demo:

Thousands of Catalans staged a mass protest in Barcelona on Sunday, hours after their former leader, Carles Puigdemont, was detained in Germany.

Riot police struck protesters with batons and pushed them back as they tried to move towards the office of the Spanish government in Catalonia. Many protesters were carrying placards of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, to decry the German police’s seizure of Puigdemont.

Puigdemont was detained while crossing the border between Denmark and Germany and Sunday, and was moved to Neumuenster correctional facility.

Puigdemont is facing up to 25 years in prison on charges of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds over his role in the push for the Catalan divorce from Spain.

H/t reader eric:

“Update.

As expected. True democracy not permitted.

Madrid has been told by EU Rothschild puppets not to tolerate democracy or the peoples’ wish.”

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German Police Arrest Former Catalan Leader Puigdemont

German Police Arrest Former Catalan Leader Puigdemont:

German police on Sunday arrested Catalonia’s former president Carles Puigdemont, as he crossed over by car from Denmark, in the latest blow to the Spanish region’s independence movement.

Puigdemont’s lawyer Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas, said on Twitter that Puigdemont was picked up by German police as he was travelling back to Belgium where he has been living in self-imposed exile.

The news was confirmed, when a German police spokesman told AFP that Puigdemont “was arrested today at 11:19 am by Schleswig-Holstein’s highway patrol force,” adding that the detention was based on a European warrant. “He is now in police custody.”

Read moreGerman Police Arrest Former Catalan Leader Puigdemont

Catalan ex-leader’s capture in Germany sparks mass protests

Catalan ex-leader’s capture in Germany sparks mass protests:

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Five months after going on the run from Spanish authorities, Catalonia’s former president was detained in Germany on an international warrant Sunday by highway police after the ardent separatist crossed the border with Denmark.

Carles Puigdemont’s capture, aided by Spanish intelligence services, sparked protests of tens of thousands in Catalonia’s main city of Barcelona and other towns in the wealthy northeastern corner of Spain. Some of the demonstrators clashed with riot police, leaving more than 50 civilians and police officers injured and leading to four arrests. Puigdemont will appear before a German judge on Monday.

Read moreCatalan ex-leader’s capture in Germany sparks mass protests

Catalonia: Thousands take to streets of Barcelona to protest crackdown on separatists

Civil war has been predicted for Spain.

Catalonia: Thousands take to streets of Barcelona to protest crackdown on separatists:

Spanish police scuffled with dozens of pro-secession activists and seized 10 million ballot papers

Tens of thousands poured onto the streets of central Barcelona and further afield in Catalonia, outraged at the escalating crackdown on a separatist-led referendum on independence for the region on 1 October that saw 14 local government officials arrested, including the region’s deputy vice president.

Read moreCatalonia: Thousands take to streets of Barcelona to protest crackdown on separatists

Spain On High Alert To Prevent Puigdemont From Sneaking Back “In The Boot Of A Car”

Spain On High Alert To Prevent Puigdemont From Sneaking Back “In The Boot Of A Car”:

Spain’s Interior Minister Jose Ignacio Zoido has a warning for  Carles Puigdemont: “don’t try to sneak back into Barcelona, you will be caught.”

The ousted former Catalan leader and infamous separatist, Carles Puigdemont who remains in self-imposed exile in Brussels and who was again picked by the Catalan parliament to be its president, may be tempted to cross into Spain “by helicopter, light aircraft or boat” so that the regional parliament can reappoint him officially, Zoido told broadcaster Antena 3 in an interview. The police have deployed specialist teams to monitor his movements and will catch him if he tries.

Read moreSpain On High Alert To Prevent Puigdemont From Sneaking Back “In The Boot Of A Car”

Spain: Catalan Separatists Claim Victory in Parliamentary Election

Catalan Separatists Claim Victory in Parliamentary Election:

The results are in from Catalonia’s snap parliamentary election, and separatist parties have held onto their majority. They dropped from 72 to 70 total seats held, but this still gives them an absolute majority of the regional parliament’s 135 seats.

Junts per Catalunya (JuntsxCat, or Together for Catalonia), the party of ousted president Carles Puigdemont, claimed victory in the regional election in a statement issued after the official results came in on Thursday. JuntsxCat is slated to hold 34 seats, making up almost half of the independence coalition. Two other parties, the left-wing Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (Republican Left of Catalonia) and Candidatura d’Unitat Popular (Popular Unity Candidacy), make up the rest of the independence coalition.

Read moreSpain: Catalan Separatists Claim Victory in Parliamentary Election

Catalan parties make final appeals to undecided voters

Catalan parties make final appeals to undecided voters:

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Party leaders and politicians made last-ditch appeals to undecided voters in Spain’s Catalonia region Tuesday ahead of an election that polls indicate could be a close race between supporters of secession and political rivals who want to remain part of the country.

With opinion polls suggesting that more than 20 percent of the region’s 5.5 million-strong electorate were undecided about who to support in Thursday’s election, the final campaign rallies set out clear battle lines.

Read moreCatalan parties make final appeals to undecided voters

Ousted Catalan leader challenges EU to speak out on crisis

Ousted Catalan leader challenges EU to speak out on crisis:

BRUSSELS (AP) — Catalonia’s ousted leader vowed Tuesday to prolong the fight for independence from Spain and urged the European Union to speak out over the jailing of Catalan officials in a rebellion case.

H/t reader squodgy.

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Majority Rejects stripping Catalonia of Autonomy

Majority Rejects stripping Catalonia of Autonomy:

The application that is being carried out of Article 155 on Catalan autonomy finds a majority rejection in public opinion.

More than 56% of those consulted disapprove of the application of 155. The positions of the respective groups of electors are quite unanimous.

Among voters who support independence, more than 90% reject the application of 155. Meanwhile, those who support the oppressive regime in Madrid, massively suppport its dictatorial measures.

Read moreMajority Rejects stripping Catalonia of Autonomy

Catalan President Puigdemont on his way to a Spanish Jail

Catalan President Puigdemont on his way to a Spanish Jail:

Puigdemont and four consellers arrested after surrendering in police station

BRUSSELS – The prosecutor’s office in Brussels was preparing to order his arrest in order to appoint a judge.

Belgium has not accepted the petition for political assilum and in doing so, it has condemned the Catalan leaders to face jail time imposed by the Madrid regime.

Read moreCatalan President Puigdemont on his way to a Spanish Jail

Ousted Catalan Leader Turns Himself In To Belgian Police

Ousted Catalan Leader Turns Himself In To Belgian Police:

Ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and four ex-ministers on Sunday turned themselves in to Belgian authorities to start the process of their possible extradition to Spain. Puigdemont was accompanied by four other former Catalan officials who are also wanted by Spanish authorities after they fled to Belgium last week after their removed from power by Spanish authorities as part of an extraordinary crackdown to impede the region’s illegal declaration of independence.

According to AP, a spokesman for the Brussels prosecutor’s office, Gilles Dejemeppe, said the five presented themselves to federal police and have been in custody since 9 a.m. (0800 GMT; 3 a.m. EST). He said that they have not been arrested and that Puigdemont and the four ex-ministers will be heard by an investigative judge Sunday afternoon.

Read moreOusted Catalan Leader Turns Himself In To Belgian Police

Spain Order Jailing Of Catalan Leaders: ‘What Happens Next’ To Puigdemont?

Spain Order Jailing Of Catalan Leaders: ‘What Happens Next’ To Puigdemont?:

The Spanish public prosecutor on Thursday ordered the country’s High Court that the Catalonian secessionist leaders be jailed. An arrest warrant be issued for ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and eight members of his former government. 

Investigative magistrate Carmen Lamela issued the ruling on Thursday at the request of prosecutors who are pursuing a criminal case stemming from the declaration of secession the Parliament of Catalonia made Friday. The eight are Oriol Junqueras (Deputy First Minister, economy), Jordi Turull (spokesman), Raul Romeva (foreign affairs), Josep Rull (territory), Meritxell Borrás (public administration), Carles Mundó (justice), Dolors Bassa (work & social affairs), Joaquin Form (interior).

Earlier, the prosecutor’s office requested the jailing of Catalonian Vice-President Oriol Junqueras and seven other officials charged with rebellion, sedition and embezzlement of public funds, while the probe is ongoing, La Vanguardia reported.  The prosecutor also asked the judge to issue a European arrest warrant for former leader Carles Puigdemont while also requesting that counselor Santi Vila, who resigned from government before Catalonia declared independence, be released on bail of €50,000.

Read moreSpain Order Jailing Of Catalan Leaders: ‘What Happens Next’ To Puigdemont?

Spain: Puigdemont Claims He’s Legitimate President Of Catalonia, Not Seeking Belgian Asylum

Puigdemont Claims He’s Legitimate President Of Catalonia, Not Seeking Belgian Asylum:

Having fled to Brussels to escape rebellion charges and perhaps a lengthy prison sentence, Catalan (ex?) leader Carles Puigdemont, who quietly fled Catalonia over the past few days, held a press conference at the Brussels Press Club. Puigdemont said that the Catalan government sees the upcoming regional elections, called after the imposition of Article 155, as a “democratic challenge” and will accept the results.

In a multi-lingual, rambling speech, Puigdemont – who appears to have almost capitulated in his crusade against Madrid – said he would respect the results of the snap election called by Madrid in response to the declaration of independence by the province’s parliament. He then called on the Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy to say if he would do the same. Puigdemont also reiterated his support for democracy and peaceful resistance to Madrid’s pressure on Catalonia, and said he arrived in the Belgian capital to put the issue of Catalan independence “in the heart” of the European Union.

Confirming that beggars can at least pretend to be choosers, Puigdemont said that “I want a clear commitment from the State, will you respect the results or not?”

Read moreSpain: Puigdemont Claims He’s Legitimate President Of Catalonia, Not Seeking Belgian Asylum

Catalan Leader Urges “Peaceful” Rebellion As Spain Takes Over Government

Catalan Leader Urges “Peaceful” Rebellion As Spain Takes Over Government:

Update (0920ET): A Spanish government spokesman has responded to Puigdemont’s address, saying that “Spain will not comment on comments by Puigdemont who is out of a job.”

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As we detailed earlier, in a pre-record message this morning, Catalan separtist leader Carles Puigdemont urged Catalans to peacefully oppose Spain’s formal takeover of the region’s affairs.

Puigdemont said the activation of article 155 of the Spanish Constitution was illegitimate and called on Catalans to show “patience, perseverance” and faith in the future, and urged “democratic opposition” against Spanish government orders to sack his administration and dismiss the regional parliament.

As The Spain Report notes, he announced he Catalans must “continue defending” their new republic “with a sense of civic responsibility,” adding “our will is to continue working to guarantee our democratic mandate”.

Read moreCatalan Leader Urges “Peaceful” Rebellion As Spain Takes Over Government

Spain PM Fires Catalan Government, Calls Snap Elections In Retaliation For Independence Vote

Spain PM Fires Catalan Government, Calls Snap Elections In Retaliation For Independence Vote:

Update 4: In a live TV address to the nation, Spain’s PM Rajoy just announced that it is a “sad day” in which Catalans showed “contempt” for democracy, and ignored the general interest; that the Catalan declaration is unacceptable to majority of Catalans, and that, as a result and as expected, he is firing Catalan president Carles Puigdment, the Catalan police chief, and the entire Catalan government as “prudence” and “serenity” are now needed: “we never wanted to reach this situation”.

Ministries in the central government will assume powers of the Catalan administration.

The Prime Minister also announced he has dissolved the Catalan Parliament and called for snap elections to be held on December 21 which will be “free, legal and clean”.

As The Spain Report adds, the central government also ordered all of Catalonia’s “embassies” abroad closed, along with the region’s publicly funded Diplocat diplomacy service, and sacked the director general of the Catalan Police (Mossos), Pere Soler.

Rajoy also said Spain has enough resources to “recover normality” in Catalonia within the law and thanked the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and Ciudadanos for their support.

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Catalans race to create a new currency and economic fortress as independence counter-attack builds

Catalans race to create a new currency and economic fortress as independence counter-attack builds

H/t reader Squodgy:

“Ongoing
Civil War…exactly as planned.”

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Spain Showdown: Catalan Parliament To Decide On Independence Tomorrow, Chaos To Follow

Spain Showdown: Catalan Parliament To Decide On Independence Tomorrow, Chaos To Follow: 

A dramatic rollercoaster of a day for Catalonia and Spain is ending ominously, with the Catalan president Puigdemont announcing that he would let the region’s parliament decide the fate of the Catalan declaration of independence from Spain, capping off a day of furious reversals. The announcement follows a dramatic reversal from the Catalan leader who until just a few hours ago, was expected to announce that he’d call an early election in the region to avoid Spain’s takeover of the Catalan government. In the last moment he decided against it, saying there were no guarantees from the Spanish government it would be implemented while facing rebellion from his separatist allies at home; as a result he has washed his hands and decided to leave a decision on independence to his parliament.

Puigdemont made the announcement before a scheduled appearance before the Catalan Parliament on Thursday evening. According to the NYT, he said he made the decision after he had failed to secure a commitment from the central government that it would not take control of the region if he called early elections.

Read moreSpain Showdown: Catalan Parliament To Decide On Independence Tomorrow, Chaos To Follow

Catalan Separatists Rebel Against Their Leader, Shout “Traitors” Outside Puigdemont’s Office

Catalan Separatists Rebel Against Their Leader, Shout “Traitors” Outside Puigdemont’s Office: 

It didn’t take much for Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to turn from hero to villain for the local separatists.

Shortly after news hit that Puigdemont would not be declaring independence but would instead seek new elections, some time around Dec. 30, Catalan separatists revelled against his plan to draw back from declaring independence as Spanish authorities finalize plans to oust his insurgent administration. A crowd gathered in the square in front of the Catalan government palace chanted “traitoers” and “Attention, PdeCat, patience is over.”

Read moreCatalan Separatists Rebel Against Their Leader, Shout “Traitors” Outside Puigdemont’s Office

Catalan Government Said To Back Off Independence Push, Will Seek Elections; Spanish Stocks Soar, Yields Tumble

Catalan Government Said To Back Off Independence Push, Will Seek Elections; Spanish Stocks Soar, Yields Tumble:

Several Catalan media outlets reported the Catalan First Minister, Carles Puigdemont, has just dissolved or is about to dissolve the Catalan regional parliament and call new regional elections in a bid to avoid the central government applying Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution to suspend home rule in Catalonia.

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Catalan Separatist Leader: “Spain Leaves No Option But To Proclaim New Republic”

Catalan Separatist Leader: “Spain Leaves No Option But To Proclaim New Republic”:

Just hours after Puigdemont snubbed Madrid, canceling his visit to The Senate to discuss their imposition of Article 155, Catalan Deputy First Minister Oriol Junqueras told AP that the Spanish government had left Catalonia “no other option” but to proclaim a new republic.

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