Armed forces ‘essential’ in independent Catalonia, says President Puigdemont
Head of government claims that a defense policy is necessary to fight threats like jihadism
Should an independent Catalonia have armed forces? The current Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, answers ‘Yes’ to this question long mulled over by the pro-independence movement during the past few years. “Armed forces and a defense policy are absolutely essential,” said the head of the Catalan government during an on-line chat with citizens. “We are in a global fight and we have seen it with the jihadist threat,” he added on Tuesday, only 12 days after the terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils.
Puigdemont said that “a military intelligence service” is needed, along with “resources to execute modern policies” which enable the country to defend itself. According to him, “Catalonia needs a democratic and modern defense policy,” like that of nations he considers “allies”. The president’s remarks come shortly after the pro-independence parties registered in the Parliament the Law of Transitional Jurisprudence and Foundation of the Republic.