Catalonia's fugitive former president has called for Spanish authorities to open negotiations regarding the restitution of what he calls his "legitimate government.''
Speaking via social media channels from Brussels, Carles Puigdemont said Saturday that Spain should "recognize the elections results of Dec. 21 and start negotiating politically with the legitimate government of Catalonia.''
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy removed Puigdemont and his cabinet after Catalonia's regional parliament voted in favour of a declaration of independence from the rest of the country in October.
But pro-secession parties, including one led by Puigdemont, narrowly won the most seats in elections last week.
Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium to avoid a judicial investigation into suspicions of rebellion by him and his government, did not say if he plans to return to Spain.