Puigdemont asks Rajoy to “at least hold a binding referendum” in Catalonia
Catalan President Carles Puigdemont travelled to Madrid this Wednesday to hold his first meeting with current Spanish President, Mariano Rajoy, 100 days after he took office. The first point of the 46-point document which the Catalan President handed over to Rajoy calls for “at least” holding a “binding referendum” in Catalonia, as it is amongst democrats’ obligations “to find ways of negotiation and dialogue” in order to respond to the “democratic aspirations of the majority of the citizens”. Puigdemont insisted on the government’s commitment to “turn Catalonia into an independent state” and lamented that he didn’t see in Rajoy any sight nor possibility of reaching an agreement on this matter. The Catalan President also expressed to Rajoy his disconformity regarding the “judicialisation of politics” which has led to the suspension of many laws promoted by the Catalan government and to the summonsing of several public figures, including former Catalan President Artur Mas.