No alternative to Puigdemont, insists JxCat

Together for Catalonia (JxCat) continues to insist that Carles Puigdemont be sworn in as Catalan president. In an internal document sent to the party’s MPs-elect, the party stressed that there’s no alternative but for Puigdemont to lead the country. Indeed, JxCat pointed out that pro-independence parties should not fall into Spain’s “trap,” stating that they’re trying to set Puigdemont and Junqueras against each other. The document also affirmed that there’s no Plan B, and that JxCat only has one plan, as any other course of action would mean “accepting Article 155.”

JxCat insisted that the party is convinced they will reach an agreement with Junqueras’ candidacy, Esquerra Republicana (ERC,) as well as the CUP party. In addition, the pro-independence coalition also stated that there will additionally negotiate with Catalonia in Common, explaining that Domènech’s group is part of the bloc against the suspension of Catalonia’s self-rule.

This document comes a day after the spokesman for ERC in the Spanish Congress, Gabriel Rufián, stressed that Catalonia “can’t have a president via Skype.” Rufián also suggested that Junqueras could be sworn in as Catalan president if Carles Puigdemont does not return from Brussels.