Puigdemont: “My only plan is to continue as president of Catalunya”

Currently banned from leaving Belgium but released pending trial and free from an earlier extradition order, Puigdemont has made it clear he has no plans to return to Spain until he can be guaranteed a 'fair hearing' for forging ahead with the disputed independence referendum, but still wants to stand for the regional election called by the State government, which now has full control over Catalunya's affairs.

“I consider I am still president of Catalunya, because my regional Parliament has not kicked me out,” Puigdemont says.

“Unless the Parliamentary majority changes after the elections, I am still president, and that's the only plan there is.”

He was asked if he had a 'Plan B' for the vote due in 12 days' time.

“The Spanish political system needs to be responsible for solving the great contradiction it has created by allowing me to become invested as president and then arresting me for carrying out my role, and I trust that the 'Article 155 tripartite' [the PP, socialists and Ciudadanos] will respect the result of the December 21 election,” Puigdemont continued.

Puigdemont has floated the suggestion of leaving Belgium when he is permitted to do so and setting up home in the south of France, so he would be closer to Catalunya and to his wife and children, but at the moment has not made any firm decisions.

If he is voted back in, Puigdemont says his aim is for Catalunya to become 'the first native digital republic' and that he wants to see an end to 'the classic concept of a State' based upon 'the Moncloa', or Spain's official presidential residence, the 'Ibex 35', or top 35 companies on the stock market, or even 'the stands at the Bernabéu', referring to Real Madrid's home stadium.

“I want to see an end to the idea of, 'I'm the State, and you must obey me',” Puigdemont states.

Among his plans for the region if he becomes president again are the creation of a department for Digital and Technological Policy, which would involve protecting online rights, duties and identity, training all residents in modern technologies, making online voting in elections the 'norm', rolling out fibreoptic internet across the four provinces of Lleida, Tarragona, Girona and Barcelona, and 'giving more muscle' to the recently-created Catalunya Cyber-Safety Agency.