Artur Mas resigns as PDeCAT leader

The former president of Catalonia, Artur Mas, has stepped down as leader of his party PDeCat. He is currently banned from public office for two years, due to organizing a non-binding referendum on independence in 2014.

Mas was president of the country from 2010 until 2016, before resigning to allow Carles Puigdemont to take the post.

In the recent Catalan election, Puigdemont decided to create and run in his own candidacy, Together for Catalonia. Mas acknowledged today how Puigdemont’s ticket acheived "remarkable" results on December 21.

He went on to explain that he is stepping down as leader of PDeCat to allow the party to start a new phase, expand its base, and give way to new leadership.

Recently, some of Mas' assets, including his house, were seized by Spain, in order to pay for the 5.2 billion euros that according to Spain’s Court of Auditors, the 2014 symbolic vote cost. He also pointed out towards the judicial processes against him as a reason to step down.