Carles Puigdemont

Full Name: Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó
Profession: President of Catalonia

Nationality:

Biography: Puigdemont was President of the Spanish region of Catalonia from 12 January 2016 until his dismissal by the central government on 28 October 2017.

During his time in office he spearheaded the Catalan independence movement, holding a controversial referendum on 1 October 2017 which the Spanish Constitutional Court deemed illegal. In this referendum, against a 43% turnout, 92% voted in favor of independence.

Puigdemont led the parliament in declaring independence from Spain on 27 October 2017. The following day he was dismissed from his post as the central government imposed direct rule; after this he fled to exile in Belgium while charges of sedition and rebellion were filed against him.

Born: December 29, 1962
Birthplace: Amer, Catalonia, Spain
Age: 61 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Tiger
Star Sign: Capricorn

Historical Events

2017-09-06 Catalonia's parliament passes law to allow referendum on independence from Spain
2017-09-11 One million march on this state's national day in Barcelona in support of independence for Catalonia
2017-10-01 Amid a deepening constitutional crisis, Catalonia holds an independence referendum on seceding from Spain
2017-10-03 King Felipe of Spain speaks out against the Catalan referendum saying organizers have "broken the rule of law"
2017-10-05 Spanish constitutional court suspends Catalan parliament to prevent declaration of independence
2017-10-14 Spanish government says it will impose direct rule on Catalonia after the region voted for independence in a referendum
2017-10-21 Spanish government suspends Catalonia's autonomy in the face of a deepening political crisis over the region's push for independence
2017-10-27 Catalan parliament meets and unilaterally declares independence from Spain
2017-10-28 Spain's central government imposes direct rule on Catalonia, dismisses its government and calls for new elections in December
2019-10-14 Spain's Supreme Court jails nine Catalan separatist leaders for sedition for 2017 independence referendum, prompting violent clashes in Barcelona
2021-06-22 Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pardons nine Catalan politicians and activists for the 2017 illegal secession referendum