Puigdemont: dismissed cabinet will remain the ‘only legitimate government’ after election

Deposed Catalan president Carles Puigdemont said that he will stay in office should the pro-independence parties win a majority of seats in the upcoming election. In an interview with El Punt Avui TV on Wednesday, Puigdemont insisted that he and his ministers — all suspended by the Spanish government following the Catalan declaration of independence — are the only “legitimate government” of Catalonia.

“Nobody is questioning that the imprisoned government ministers, together with those who are outside [of the country], constitute the legitimate government, and must continue to be the legitimate government,” he said, referring to the eight jailed ministers as well as the other four who are with him in Belgium. “This is not a matter up for discussion, and this is what makes us strong and will make us win.”

Puigdemont’s words shed some light on one of the possible scenarios if pro-independence groups regain control of the Catalan Parliament: rather than appointing a new government, they could instead defy Madrid and recognize the deposed cabinet members who are being persecuted by the Spanish justice for pursuing secession.