Puigdemont vows to lead Catalan government-in-exile

Fugitive Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, has suspended his attempts to return to office but intends to preside over a government-in-exile and carry on his drive for independence from the safety of Belgium.

Speaking to the Guardian on Friday after he announced he was stepping back from the presidency and anointing a jailed MP as his successor, Puigdemont said he would use a new "Council of the Republic" to coordinate and further the secessionist cause.

"It's like a government in exile," he said.

"It's not in the shadows. We prefer to work in the free space without threats or fears. It must act without the problems of Spanish justice or police. It's a cabinet or government that must represent...our political reality.

"It will represent the diversity (of Catalonia).

I will invite all the other parties to take part. The council must have representation from local communities and civic society... We will move from the old system of government for the people to a new system which is (government) with the people."

Puigdemont told the Guardian that he would serve as president of the council, adding that the separatist parties' victory in last December's snap election gave him the necessary legitimacy.

On Thursday evening, Puigdemont said he had decided not to continue his bid for the regional presidency and suggested that Jordi Sanchez, an MP in his Together for Catalonia party, should be the candidate.

In his Friday's interview, Puigdemont launched a blistering attack on King Felipe, accusing him of ignoring the constitution and the Catalan people.

"(The king) excluded the millions of Catalans who voted for independence.

"He has become head of state of only one part of society. For that reason, the monarchy has lost Catalonia," he added.

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