Puigdemont happy to discuss Catalonia with PM

Disputed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has said he is ready to hold talks with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy anywhere in the EU other than Spain.

Speaking at a news conference in Brussels, where he fled into self-imposed exile after his government was sacked, Pugidemont insisted he wants to be reinstated as Catalan leader.

And he confirmed he would return to Spain if he was given guarantees by the government he could take up his position as head of a potential new Catalan administration.

It comes after his Together for Catalonia party claimed 34 seats in the regional elections, which Puigdemont said opened a "new era" for the autonomous region.

Rajoy has refused to engage in dialogue with pro-independence leaders until they agree to limit their political goals within Spain's constitution - which bans unilateral secession of any of the country's 17 autonomous regions.

Two other pro-independence parties won a combined 36 seats in the elections on Thursday.

That total gives separatists two more seats than the 68 needed for an absolute majority - ensuring that they retain control of Catalonia's regional government.

[caption id="attachment_6997" align="aligncenter" width="501"] Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. ©Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images[/caption]

Puigdemont was the most voted candidate among separatists, and could be chosen to lead a new pro-independence coalition after negotiations with other parties.

Despite this, unionist party Citizens topped the poll and won 37 seats.

Catalonia went to the polls after its government was dissolved by Madrid, who deemed its declaration of independence in October "illegal".

Puigdemont said Thursday's majority by separatist parties was a victory for the "Catalan republic" over the Spanish state, and said Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his allies "have lost".

"This is a result which no one can dispute," Puigdemont told supporters in Brussels.

"I think we have earned our right to be listened to."

[caption id="attachment_7314" align="aligncenter" width="500"] ©Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images[/caption]

Puigdemont said it was "a slap" for the Spanish PM, adding: "Rajoy has lost the mandate he sought."

The leader of the pro-Spanish party that won the most votes promised her party will continue to fight the region's separatists.

"The pro-secession forces can never again claim they speak for all of Catalonia," Ines Arrimadas said.

"We are going to keep fighting for a peaceful co-existence, common sense and for a Catalonia for all Catalans."

"Today we have sent a message to the world, that the majority of Catalans feel Catalan, Spanish and European and will continue to do so," she added.