Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont says Catalonia has won the right to declare independence from Spain.
The leader of the Catalan Parliament has vowed to suspend the region’s declaration of independence – to pave the way for dialogue on secession with Spain.
Carles Puigdemont made the declaration during a press conference at the Catalan Parliament this afternoon.
Puigdemont said he remains committed to achieving independence, but said he wishes to do so via a formal process of negotiation with counterparts in Madrid.
Therefore he demanded that Catalonia’s proposed declaration be suspended, allowing officials in Madrid and Barcelona to map out a route to independence.
Puigdemont also blasted the “catalanophobia” in the rest of Spain, while suggesting that the people of his region are “living through moments of historic dimensions.”
He also talked at length about Catalonia’s struggle for autonomy, suggesting it had gone to great lengths to secure a legal referendum.
Switching from Catalan to Spanish, he sent a “message of serenity” to the national government, adding that “we are not criminals.
“We don’t have anything against Spain or Spanish people [but] for years the relationship hasn’t worked.”
– Honouring the result –
Puigdemont had been widely expected to declare independence following last week’s unofficial independence referendum, which returned a 90% majority in favour of independence.
Following the referendum, which was marred by widespread violence across Catalonia, Puigdemont pledged to honour the result and deliver independence for the Catalan people.
Puigdemont had originally planned to speak at the Parliament yesterday (October 9) but Spanish authorities had blocked the event.
Spain has maintained that the referendum was both illegal and invalid, with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy claiming the plebiscite didn’t even take place.
Critics have also pointed out that only 2.2 million voted in the referendum, well under 50% of Catalonia’s total registered voters.
Spain has yet to respond to Catalonia’s declaration of independence, although it seems certain ministers in Madrid will oppose it.
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