Catalonia separatists seek to restore exiled leader Puigdemont

In Catalonia, new and returning members of the regional parliament have met for the first time since snap elections in December.

But there is still uncertainty over the new president of the parliament. Separatist parties want former leader Carles Puigdemont to take the role, but he is in self-imposed exile in Belgium.

Madrid says that move would be illegal.

Al Jazeera’s Karl Penhaul reports.