“Our people have sacrificed me,” says Puigdemont in leaked message

Catalan president tells one of his deposed ministers in Belgium that Madrid plans to “triumph” after Parliament delays his investiture

Toni Comín and Carles Puigdemont in an event in November 2017 (by Laura Pous)
Toni Comín and Carles Puigdemont in an event in November 2017 (by Laura Pous) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

January 31, 2018 12:12 PM

Carles Puigdemont thinks the pro-independence parties have sacrificed him after the Catalan Parliament president postponed his investiture on Monday. At least, according to some messages he sent to Toni Comín, one of his deposed ministers in Belgium, and leaked by Telecinco, a private Spanish TV channel. “I bet you know that this is over. Our people have sacrificed us, at least me,” the message reads. “The Spanish government plans triumph, I hope that because of this all of them can leave prison, otherwise the embarrassment will be historic,” he added. 

Puigdemont also wrote the country is experiencing “the last days of the Republican Catalonia” and he also talked about himself. “I do not know how much I have left, (I hope a lot!) but I will focus it on putting in order these past two years and protecting my reputation,” he also said. “They did much harm to me, with slander, rumors, lies that I tolerated for a common aim. Now this has expired and I will have to focus my life on the self-defense.” 

Puigdemont's reaction to the leak

The Catalan deposed president reacted to the leaks via Twitter on Wednesday. “I am a journalist and I have always understood that there are limits, such as privacy, which never have to be violated," he wrote. "I am human and there are moments in which I also hesitate. I am also the president, so I will not back out, for respect, gratitude and commitment to the citizens and the country. Let’s continue!"