MADRID: The leader of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, said he was not afraid of being arrested for organizing a banned referendum on the region’s independence from Spain, which went ahead on Sunday despite Madrid using force to try to stop people voting.
Spanish riot police used truncheons and rubber bullets on voters, drawing worldwide criticism and tipping Spain into its biggest constitutional crisis in decades.
Puigdemont’s government is to ask the regional parliament on Monday to declare independence after his officials released preliminary referendum results showing 90 percent support in favor of breaking away.
Turnout was only about 43 percent as Catalans who favor remaining part of Spain mainly boycotted the ballot.
“Personally, I am not afraid of that,” Puigdemont said in an interview in the German daily Bild, published on Thursday, when asked about his possible arrest.
“And I’m not surprised anymore about what the Spanish government is doing. My arrest is also possible, which would be a barbaric step.”
Neither the Spanish government nor the judiciary has threatened to arrest Puigdemont, though Madrid accuses him of breaking the law by ignoring a Constitutional Court ruling forbidding the referendum from going ahead.
Puigdemont has said the referendum proved the will of the people was to leave Spain and has vowed to continue with secession, despite Madrid’s insistence it won’t happen.
On Wednesday, in a televised address, Puigdemont renewed his call for international mediation but said the results of the referendum would have to be applied.
The confrontation has raised fears among investors of unrest in Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of the Spanish economy. A former principality, the region has its own language and culture and has long complained that it pays more to Madrid in taxes than it receives each year from central funding.
The crisis in the euro zone’s fourth-biggest economy has hurt Spanish bond and stock markets. The nation’s borrowing costs hit a seven-month high on Thursday ahead of a government bond auction that will test investor confidence.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has offered to open multi-party talks that could cut a better tax and constitutional deal for Catalonia in return for the region giving up on independence.
But his government has said the region must “return to the path of law” before negotiations can go ahead.
Sunday’s crackdown by Spanish police, Rajoy’s hard-line stance and an uncharacteristically strong intervention this week by Spain’s King Felipe VI seems to have deepened Catalonia’s resolve to continue with the project.
“We will go as far as people want it. But without the use of force. We were always a peaceful movement. And I am sure that Spain will not be able to ignore the will of so many people,” Puigdemont told Bild.
Opinion polls conducted before the vote suggested a minority of around 40 percent of residents in Catalonia backed independence. But a majority wanted a referendum to be held, and the violent police crackdown angered Catalans across the divide.
Catalan leader says not afraid of arrest over independence — report
Catalan leader says not afraid of arrest over independence — report
Republican congressional candidate says she will not accept AIPAC funds
- ‘I’m not somebody who can be bought,’ Niki Conforti tells Arab News, referring to pro-Israel lobby group
- Arab Americans have accused Democratic incumbent Sean Casten of ignoring their concerns
CHICAGO: Niki Conforti, the Republican candidate for the Illinois 6th Congressional District, has told Arab News that she will not accept campaign funds from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The powerful lobby group demands complete loyalty to Israel over Arab interests, donating hundreds of millions of dollars in each election, including nearly $300,000 to the district’s incumbent Democrat Sean Casten, according to the political group Track AIPAC.
“I’m not somebody who can be bought. I’ve made the commitment that I won’t take AIPAC money,” Conforti told Arab News. “First and foremost, I have to take care of the people of my district.”
Describing her views as being “America First,” she added: “I think we’ve given a lot of money to fund foreign wars. We need to turn that money internally to address mental health issues, to help the homeless, to help veterans, to lower crime. We have so many issues here at home where that money can be better spent.”
In Ukraine and the Middle East, “we need to work toward peace and stop the killing,” she said. “These are turning into perpetual wars and we need to really get respect in the regions, have accountability on both sides, and reach an agreement that everyone can adhere to and keep.”
A healthcare industry professional, Conforti said it is important that elected officials listen to all of the district’s residents regardless of political affiliation, race, ethnicity or religion.
“I’m a businesswoman. I’m going to listen to my constituents, whether we agree or not. Listening to my constituents is going to be very important to me,” she added.
The 6th District in Chicago’s western suburbs has a large concentration of Arab and Muslim voters, whose leaders have repeatedly complained that four-term incumbent Casten has rebuffed their views.
Conforti previously ran for the office twice, challenging Casten as the endorsed Republican in 2024, losing to him by about 30,000 of 363,000 votes cast.
Leaders of the Arab-American community have accused him of not being forceful enough in opposing Israel’s war in Gaza.
“Congressman Casten hasn’t seen fit to attend any of our events,” American Arab Chamber of Commerce President Hassan Nijem told Arab News. “It’s clear Casten isn’t interested in our views or our concerns, even though we’re a major constituency in the 6th Congressional District.”
Samir Khalil, founder of the Arab American Democracy Coalition, told Arab News: “Casten has been unresponsive to our community. He embraces a double standard, taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from AIPAC.
“He has sat back while our tax dollars have been used to fund Israel’s killing of Palestinians in Gaza and the total destruction of homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, mosques and churches.”
In the March 17 Republican primary, Conforti, 62, will face newcomer Skylar Duensing, 25, a protege of assassinated right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.
Casten, 54, will face newcomer Joseph Ruzevich, 27, in the March 17 Democratic primary. Ruzevich has said he will not accept AIPAC money.
The winners of each primary will face off against each other on Nov. 3.
Nijem and Khalil both said the Arab-American community will oppose Casten in the March and November elections.
Casten did not respond to a request for comment from Arab News.
