Catalonia postponed the election of a new regional president on Tuesday until further notice after Spain’s highest court said the sole nominee, separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, was ineligible while he remains a fugitive from justice in Belgium, Reuters reported.

The industrial northeastern region’s drive for a split from Spain has led it to clash with the central government in Madrid and the judiciary, which say a declaration of independence is against the country’s 39-year-old constitution.

Puigdemont, speaking in a recorded message from Belgium posted on social networks late on Tuesday, said he was disappointed at the postponed vote and said he was the only possible candidate for regional president.