Speaking on a news broadcast, Carles Puigdemont urged supports of Catalan independence to peacefully oppose Spain’s takeover of the region and said he would continue to “work to build a free country”.
The appearance came after Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dissolved Catalonia’s parliament earlier today, and booted out the region’s chief of police Josep Lluis Trapero who had failed to prevent the independence vote taking place at the beginning of the month.
Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, was placed to lead Catalonia earlier today, and the government has called snap local elections.