Catalan separatists rally in France with fugitive ex-Leader

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont speaks during a rally in Perpignan, France, February 29, 2020. /Reuters

Tens of thousands of people who support the idea of an independent Catalonia region, held a major rally across the border, in southeastern France on Saturday.

The rally was held just 30 kilometers from the Spanish border, allowing former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont to attend. Organizers estimated that as many as 150,000 people participated.

Catalan separatists are keen to draw international attention to their attempt, and the rally in Perpignan aimed to be a show of strength. The rally's slogan was, "The republic at the center of the world" — a reference to the desired Catalan republic.

Perpignan lies about 200 kilometers by road from the Catalan capital, Barcelona. Holding the event in French territory allowed former Catalan regional president Puigdemont to attend, too. The European Parliament member is a fugitive from Spain after declaring Catalan independence in 2017.

Puigdemont's political alliance, Together for Catalonia, will be competing for votes with other separatist parties in an upcoming regional election in Catalonia. No date has been set for the ballot.

The current Catalan president, Quim Torra, and other senior figures in the independence movement joined the event.

Spain's constitution states that the country is indivisible, and the national government in Madrid has refused to countenance independence for Catalonia. Like other Spanish regions, Catalonia already has a large degree of financial, administrative and legislative autonomy.

Polls show residents in the Spanish region of 7.5 million people are roughly evenly divided over the question of independence.

(AP)