Puigdemont believes that Scotland could have “clear options” to win a new referendum on independence

Barcelona (CNA).- Scotland could have “clear options” to win a second referendum on independence, according to Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont. In an interview with CNA, Puigdemont stated that some of the Scottish who voted ‘no’ to independence in the last referendum, held in 2014, did so “because of the British government and the lobbies’ threats that they would be out of the EU”. “Today they lost both; independence and remaining within the EU”, he said. Puigdemont statements came after Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, appeared before the press to declare that a new consultation on independence was “highly likely” to take place, since Scotland voted to stay in the EU while the UK overall opted out. Sturgeon assured that it was “unacceptable” that Scotland was taken out of the EU “against its people’s will” and that she will “explore all the options” to guarantee that their vote is respected.

The Catalan President also called for the EU to think about its “underestimation” towards the different regional realities in Europe and also towards the suffering of its middle and working classes. During an appearance to assess the ‘Brexit’ results, Puigdemont considered that the EU should start working in order to avoid the rise of “populist and xenophobic proposals” and criticised its "lack of leadership on the issues which concern Europeans”.

Regarding Scotland’s push for independence, which may be triggered after the EU referendum results, as ‘Remain’ won in Scotland, as opposed to the overall victory of ‘Brexit’, Puigdemont wanted to “encourage [the Scottish] in the decisions they may take in the future”.

In this vein, he stated that if there is to be a second referendum on independence in Scotland there will be “clear options” that it will be successful, since some of the Scottish who voted ‘no’ to independence in the last referendum, held in 2014, did so “because of the British government and the lobbies’ threats that they will be out of the EU”. “Today they lost both; independence and remaining within the EU”, he said.

A second referendum in Scotland “highly likely”

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, lamented before the press that Scotland “faces the prospect of being taken out of the EU” against its people’s will. “I regard that as democratically unacceptable”, she stated. Moreover, she emphasised that the Scottish people face this prospect “less than two years after being told that it was our own referendum on independence that would end our membership of the European Union and that only a rejection of independence could protect it”.

Sturgeon reminded those present that the manifesto on which the SNP,  [Scottish National Party] was elected last month said that "the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum [...] if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out the EU against our will".

In this vein, she admitted that “the option of a second referendum must be on the table” and that “in order to protect that position” the Scottish government will begin “to prepare the legislation that would be required to enable a new independence referendum to take place if and when Parliament so decides”.