On the imprisonment of Carles Puigdemont

Gregor Gysi, President of the European Left, has stated:

“With the imprisonment of ex-Regional President of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, the governments in Germany and Spain have made completely the wrong decision.

What would we say, if the ex-president of a German Land, for example of Bavaria, had been arrested?

There is a treaty concluded between Madrid and Catalonia within their parliaments, which implies more autonomy for Catalonia. The party of the current prime minister went against that treaty. This position: ‘No concessions to Catalonia’, just radicalized the situation and strengthened the will for secession of Catalonia from Spain.

The recent worsening of the situation in Spain can be solved only by political means and not by imprisonments and punishments. Similar to Belgium, Germany should keep its hands off this issue. With this assistance to the Spanish government, Germany becomes the party in conflict and also shares the responsibility for an eventual further escalation of violence.”