In a mature democracy, what is legal is decided by parliament... Our process is legitimised by parliament and by the ballot box.

Carles Puigdemont’s quote emphasizes the importance of parliament and the ballot box in a mature democracy. He argues that in such a system, the question of what is legal is determined by elected representatives in parliament, reflecting the will of the people through democratic processes. The parliament is the institution that makes the laws, and its decisions are considered legitimate because they are grounded in the democratic principle of representation. Similarly, elections and the ballot box provide a mechanism for the public to express their preferences, ensuring that the government’s actions align with the people's consent.

By linking the legitimacy of legal decisions to parliamentary processes and democratic voting, Puigdemont underscores the foundational principle of popular sovereignty. In a fully functional democracy, he implies, laws should be made and enforced by elected bodies, not through extra-legal means or by actions that circumvent the established democratic order. This places the rule of law and political legitimacy firmly in the hands of parliament and the electorate, which is central to the idea of a well-functioning democratic state.

Puigdemont’s quote can be seen as a defense of the constitutional order in Spain, especially in the context of his own political views on Catalonia and its push for independence. The quote implies that any action taken outside the framework of parliamentary approval and democratic processes lacks legitimacy. For Puigdemont, the decision to act must be ratified by democratic institutions, such as parliament, rather than by unilateral or non-constitutional actions.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Puigdemont’s role as the former president of Catalonia, especially during times of political tension surrounding Catalonia's calls for independence from Spain. His emphasis on parliamentary legitimacy and democratic processes reflects his belief in the power of democratic institutions to resolve political disputes, even as he advocated for self-determination for Catalonia. The quote encapsulates his commitment to the principles of democracy while navigating complex issues of national sovereignty and self-governance.