Catalan MP loses seat in the Spanish Parliament for allowing symbolic vote on independence

Former Catalan President Artur Mas’ right hand man, who is currently Catalan European Democratic Party (PDeCAT) MP in the Spanish Parliament, left his seat this Wednesday. Francesc Homs had to renounce his position due the ban from public office for 18 months he was sentenced to by the Spanish Supreme Court for allowing a symbolic vote on independence in 2014. Former Catalan President, Artur Mas and former Catalan Ministers Irene Rigau and Joana Ortega were also fined and banned from public office for the same case. According to Homs, the court’s decision proves that in Spain “supporting certain ideas in a democratic and peaceful way has penal consequences”, he lamented on a press conference, right after having received the notice. He said that it was not only him who was banned from the Spanish Parliament “but thousands of citizens who trust a person through democratic means”.