The former Catalan president, Charles Puigdemont, has been denied his temporary accreditation as an elected member of the European Parliament at the request of three Spanish political parties.

Puigdemont is currently wanted by Spanish authorities after he declared Catalan independence. He is one of two independentist candidates who escaped to Belgium and then got elected as a MEP.

Among the groups protesting his accreditation are the Popular Party, Socialists and the Liberals of Ciudadanos.

The measure to refuse temporary accreditation was approved by President Antonio Tajani. In order to justify the decision, he had to suspend the accreditation of all Spanish MEPs. This means they can only enter the European Parliament as guests.

The decision has raised controversy. Three vice-presidents of the European Parliament, including the liberal Pavel Telicka, have asked for explanations. They have also requested the issue to be discussed at the next meeting of the table.

Tajani justified the measure by saying that he is waiting for the Spanish authorities to communicate the final list of elected MEPs.

Via Euronews