Junqueras says there’s no reason why he cannot be sworn in as president

The president and leading candidate for left-wing pro-independence party Esquerra Republicana (ERC) said that if he wins the election, there’s no reason to think that he won’t be able to be sworn in as president, since he has the right to attend the investiture session. In an interview with Catalan radio station Rac1, the main candidate for ERC stated that he’s in prison because he never hides what he does and he’s consistent with “his decisions, thoughts and feelings”. Asked about post-electoral discussions, he said that he’s in favor of “consensus” and a “united” government. This is Junqueras’ first interview with a radio station since he’s been in jail in Madrid.  

Despite his imprisonment, Junqueras, deposed after the enforcement of Article 155, is optimistic about the future. "Being in prison helps to strengthen your soul, it makes you stronger and makes you feel more convinced of what you’ve always represented. In that sense, I’m full of energy, happy and very happy to talk to you because it hasn’t been easy,” he said.