Axed Catalan leader calls for resistance against Madrid

Catalonia’s secessionist leader Carles Puigdemont stood defiant on Saturday against Madrid’s moves to depose him, urging “democratic resistance” to direct rule imposed in a bid to stop the region breaking away from Spain.

In a televised statement, Mr Puigdemont accused the central government of trampling on the will of independence-seeking Catalans who rejoiced at Friday’s vote by regional lawmakers to declare an independent republic.

Madrid’s response to seize Catalan powers — the first curtailment of regional autonomy since Francisco Franco’s brutal 1939-75 dictatorship — constituted an “aggression”, he said, but insisted “democratic opposition” was the only response. In a copy of his speech, Mr Puigdemont signed off as “President of the Catalan government”.