Puigdemont and Comín finally welcome at the European Parliament

This afternoon, former President of the Government of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont and former Catalan Minister Toni Comín arrived at the entrance to the European Parliament, where they were awaited by N-VA MEP Assita Kanko. Puigdemont and Comín were both given their access badge in their capacities as MEPs. Their colleague Assita Kanko then took them both on a guided tour of the European Parliament.

A good day for democracy and freedom

“A touching and historic moment,” Assita Kanko says of the occasion. “I am honoured that I was able to welcome them as colleagues. Everyone’s emotions were running high when they were finally given their badges as Members of the European Parliament. This is a great day for democracy and freedom. But we must not forget that a great many colleagues of Puigdemont and Comín are still in Spanish prison cells and will once again not be able to celebrate Christmas at home with their families.”

A president with his hands in his hair

It was MEP Geert Bourgeois who got the ball rolling. After the European Court had issued its ruling, Geert Bourgeois announced in the last session in Strasbourg as a point of motion that he would ask to speak in this regard. “The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, clearly had his hands in his hair in this regard and subsequently issued a declaration calling on Spain to respect the judgement,” said Geert Bourgeois.