Carles Puigdemont MEP Press Conference in the European Parliament: "It's inconceivable that we shouldn't be at the inaugural session on 2nd July"

In a press conference in the European Parliament yesterday Catalonia's President in Exile said that he will appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union to be able to take his seat as an MEP. Spain's Central Electoral Commission rejected the attempts by lawyer Gonzalo Boye to satisfy the requirements for both Puigdmont and exiled minister Toni Comín to be accredited as MEPs.

The leader of Together for Catalonia (JxCa)t said that they hope to have "a decision before 2nd July", the day of the opening of the new legislature in the Parliament. "It's inconceivable that we shouldn't be at the inaugural session on 2nd July," said the president today. He added that "nobody" will go to Strasbourg in place of him, Comín or imprisoned former vice-president Oriol Junqueras. He also said he believes "strongly" in the court's "independence and strong commitment to democracy".

Carles Puigdemont has confirmed he will attend the opening of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 2nd July, his first visit to France since going into exile. That day, there has already been organised a protest outside the Parliament in favour of the right to self-determination and the release of the pro-independence prisoners.