As Spain seized control of Catalonia's government, the independence movement was left leaderless and struggling for a way forward, with grass-roots supporters enraged by the betrayal of their cause.
Carles Puigdemont, ousted by the government in Madrid after the region declared independence, abandoned Catalonia for Belgium without warning his party's senior members, according to a party official. He left them no instructions on the way ahead, and they met Monday without him.
Party leaders understand that Puigdemont — who faces rebellion charges that could see him put in jail for 30 years — plans to seek asylum in Belgium. He will form a government in exile while others stay behind to fight an election on Dec. 21, the official said. Paul Bekaert, a Belgian lawyer, said in a phone interview that he's representing Puigdemont, who will make a statement Tuesday. His spokesman declined to comment.