Puigdemont withdraws

madrid - The former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont withdraws as a candidate for the presidency of Catalonia. According to El Nacional he does that Thursday. The Spanish newspaper relies on sources within the Puigdemont party.

The ex-leader called last year the independence of Catalonia. He fled to Belgium when the central government intervened in Madrid and took over the authority in the region and sidelined the parliament.

Puigdemont is said to push Jordi Sanchez, an ally in terms of independence, as a new candidate. Sanchez is stuck at the moment. He is accused of incitement.