![catalonia-2823509_640.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmafMb6eHFzwwjWYZjH6UYFgkCBD33VuJx45TMUB9zuHyQ/catalonia-2823509_640.jpg)
<h3>Former Catalan Prime Minister Carles Puigdemont announced a candidacy for early parliamentary elections on December 21, despite a European arrest warrant.</h3>
<p>The Spanish court issued a European arrest warrant for Puigdemont and dismissed his request for a hearing through video conference. The European arrest warrant means that Belgium has three months to decide whether Puigdemont and 4 former members of Parliament will be sent back to Spain.</p>
<p>Belgian prosecutor Eric Van der Sypt has meanwhile informed that they have been received an arrest warrant, but intend to examine it in the coming days before handing it over to the Belgian court.</p>
<h1>Puigdemont announced candidacy in the election</h1>
<p>Puigdemont, who, in his own words, did not seek asylum in Belgium, but because he can more easily address the whole Europe from Brussels, he argued that he could lead presidential campaign anywhere. His party announced on Monday that it will participate in the early elections announced by the Spanish government. "We have a legitimate government, and there must be continuity to tell the world what is happening in Spain," said Puigdemont in an interview with Belgian public broadcaster RTBF.</p>
<p>Despite the court order, Puigdemont did not come to a hearing in Madrid, where judge Carmen Lamel ordered the detention of nine members of his parliament.&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Germany supports Madrid</h1>
<p>From the federal government's point of view, Spain is a country where the law is governed, and as a government spokesman, I do not see the reason to comment on the decision of the Spanish courts, "said Steffen Seibert, a spokeswoman for the German government, while still supporting the clear position of the Spanish prime minister Mariana Rajoya.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p><br></p>
<p><br></p>
</html>