Puigdemont summons pro-independence groups to Brussels to launch Council of the Republic
Far-left CUP party declines invitation, dismissing organization as "symbolic"
Carles Puigdemont summoned pro-independence parties and organizations to Brussels on Monday to launch the Council of the Republic, a body led by the former Catalan president with the aim of advancing the case for independence from abroad.
Puigdemont first announced the creation of the council in February, when Spanish courts prevented him from reclaiming his post at a distance. He appointed a successor and pledged to focus on raising awareness of Catalan independence at the international level instead.
Yet, it is not clear who will be part of the council, nor how will it work, nor what its functions will be.