New independence referendum on the table, say Danish MPs

Political representatives in Denmark meet Carles Puigdemont who says he is willing to discuss alternative solutions

Danish MP Pelle Dragsted (by Jordi Pujolar)
Danish MP Pelle Dragsted (by Jordi Pujolar) / ACN

ACN | Copenhagen

January 23, 2018 06:13 PM

Catalan president Carles Puigdemont met with nine Danish MPs from five political parties on Tuesday during his visit to Copenhagen. The meeting with the Danish representatives -none of whom were from the country’s ruling party- lasted about an hour, and the main subject of conversation was the holding of a new referendum on independence, according to Nikolaj Villumsen of the Red-Green Alliance.

Following the meeting, Villumsen said that Puigdemont argued that a “broad majority of the population in Catalonia wants a new referendum” but the Catalan leader also admitted that to do so “the Spanish government would have to change its position.” As a result, Villumsen “called out to the Spanish government, from Denmark and from Europe” to try to find a way to hold a referendum.

Meanwhile, Pelle Dragsted from the same party said that in the meeting Puigdemont said he “is willing to discuss any solution”, as long as it is democratic and “respects the will of the people”. According to Dragsted, “the first step is to make his return possible so that he can take office as president, as a gesture of political will. And then begin a dialogue with the Spanish government.”