"I will propose Carles Puigdemont as a candidate for the position of head of government…. I understand the peculiarities of Mr. Puigdemont's personal and legal situation, but I also think that he has a legal right to be a candidate," Torrent, who represents the pro-independence Republican Left of Catalonia party, told a press conference.
The speaker added that he was planning to hold talks with both Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Puigdemont soon.
Earlier, Puigdemont's candidacy was offered to the speaker by the coalition "Together for Catalonia".Torrent also added that in the near future he intends to negotiate with both the chairman of the Spanish government, Mariano Rajoy and Puigdemont.
READ MORE: Catalan Ex-Head Says Able to Run Regional Gov't Via Internet if Re-elected
#Catalonia's Parliament Speaker @RogerTorrent: "The only presidential candidate with support is #Puigdemont. I have requested in a letter a meeting with #Spain's PM Rajoy to analyse the anomalous situation. And I want to see all the MPs who are in jail and in Brussels.
— JordiVK AKA YuriBCN (@yuribcn) January 22, 2018
Incl. 📹 https://t.co/aXgg3Dwwik
On Monday, Puigdemont arrived in Copenhagen, the Spanish prosecutor's office asked the Supreme Court of the country to renew the European warrant for his arrest.
Lawyers representing the Catalan parliament have announced their conclusion that Puigdemont cannot be remotely approved for the post of head of the Catalan government using video conferencing, and that any candidate for this position should be present in person.