Catalan parliament speaker delays Puigdemont leadership debate

BARCELONA: Catalonia's parliament speaker Roger Torrent on Tuesday delayed a key debate in the regional assembly on ousted separatist leader Carles Puigdemont's bid to form a new government, but defended his right to return to power.

"Today's plenary session ... is delayed," he said, adding he would not put forward any other candidate because Puigdemont "has every right" to rule, despite a Constitutional Court decision stipulating he must be present at the assembly to be chosen as the region's chief.

Puigdemont moved to Belgium shortly after Catalonia's parliament declared independence in October and he faces arrest if he returns to Spain.