Comín gives up proxy vote after Belgium rejects extradition

Catalan MP Toni Comín has given up his proxy vote in parliament after Belgium rejected extraditing him to Spain. While a court in Brussels studied a European Arrest Warrant for him, Comín was ordered to remain in the country and so requested to vote through a delegate.

The petition was approved, as it was understood that the judicial proceedings prevented him from attending the chamber in person—an allowance that had been previously granted to MPs jailed in Madrid. As the case came to an end and Comín was again allowed to move freely around Europe, he decided to give up his vote.

Comín faces criminal charges for his role in the independence bid. The minister of health in Carles Puigdemont’s government, he was sacked by the Spanish government following a declaration of independence last October. All cabinet members were either sent to jail or left the country seeking refuge around Europe.

Carles Puigdemont, the deposed president, currently facing an extradition process in Germany, is still able to vote through a delegate in parliament.

Comín’s and Puigdemont's votes were crucial to appointing Quim Torra as Catalonia’s new president two weeks ago. As the far-left CUP party decided to abstain in parliament, the two main pro-independence parties in the chamber, Junts per Catalunya and Esquerra Republicana, needed all of the 66 MPs between them to cast their votes in order to outnumber the 65 MPs who don't support independence.

Comín was nominated as minister by Torra, but the Spanish government is currently blocking his appointment. Torra pledged to reinstate all officials deposed by Madrid—including those in jail and abroad. Comín accepted Torra's offer, although it's far from clear whether he will be able to retake his post or not.