“This is a coup d’etat”: parties react to Spain’s latest move

Carles Puigdemont’s candidacy, Together for Catalonia, responded forcefully to Madrid’s decision to challenge his nomination for president in the upcoming parliamentary session to pick a new Catalan head of executive. “This is a coup d’etat against the will of our citizens,” said MP Eduard Pujol. “This is the evidence that the Spanish executive does not accept democracy, [or] the December 21 election results,” he added. According to him, Rajoy’s cabinet is defining MPs as first class and second class, which “only dictatorships do.” His colleague Gemma Geis asked “where is the parliamentary immunity provided by the Catalan Statute of Autonomy.”

"Mr. Puigdemont cannot be the candidate," says Ciutadans official

While the other pro-independence parties are yet to react, the unionist Ciutadans approved of Madrid’s move. “Mr. Puigdemont cannot be the candidate, he does not fulfil any of the requirements because he is being investigated for very severe crimes,” said spokeswoman Lorena Roldán. “The Spanish government has to guarantee a normal working of the Catalan Parliament,” she added.