Catalonia's deposed separatist leader Carles Puigdemont said Friday he was ready to run as a candidate in snap regional elections next month after his government was fired by Madrid for declaring independence.

"I'm ready to be a candidate," Puigdemont told RTBF television in Belgium, where he is currently holed up after leaving Catalonia at the weekend. "I want to send a message to our people."

Source:AFP