Ex-French PM to Quit Politics if He Loses Barcelona Mayoral Election

PARIS (Sputnik) - France’s former Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who has announced his intention to run in the mayoral race in his Spanish hometown of Barcelona, said on Monday that he would quit politics in the event of failure in the election.

"Yes, undoubtedly. This is a choice of life. But the question rather is 'Will you stay in Barcelona?' Yes… but it does not mean that I will have no more connection to France, I will be returning regularly," Valls told the BFMTV broadcaster after being asked whether he would leave politics if lost the election in Barcelona.

Valls said he would run in the race as an independent candidate on September 25.

READ MORE: French Ex-Prime Minister Valls to Run for Barcelona Mayor

Meanwhile, multiple pro-independence rallies have been held over the past several days in Barcelona to commemorate last year's referendum.

Earlier in the day, supporters of Catalonia's secession blocked high-speed railway traffic between the region and France.

Manuel Valls served as French prime minister between March 2014 and December 2016.