Catalonia president 'finalising' plan to declare independence
Carles Puigdemont is expected to make an announcement in parliament on Tuesday night
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Catalonia’s leaders are expected to declare independence during a meeting of the regional parliament on Tuesday evening, the first since the referendum vote to secede from Spain.
Regional president Carles Puigdemont was said to be “finalising” the declaration this morning, La Vanguardia reported, ahead of the 6pm meeting.
The Madrid government has warned Mr Puigdemont could face jail if he announces a move toward secession. A spokesman for Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he planned to use any legal means necessary to oppose such a declaration.
Spain’s constitutional court had declared the referendum unlawful, and police have been accused of using excessive force to prevent voters casting their ballots.
The Catalan government said 90 per cent of the 2.26 million people who voted chose independence. Turnout was 42.3 per cent.
Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaría said on Monday: “I’m calling on the sensible people in the Catalan government. Don’t jump off the edge because you’ll take the people with you.”
“If there is a unilateral declaration of independence there will be decisions made to restore law and democracy,” she told COPE radio station.
Many moderate Spaniards, including in Catalonia, oppose a breakaway. Mr Rajoy has warned he could impose direct rule in response to an independence declaration.
Losing Catalonia, which has its own language and culture, would deprive Spain of a fifth of its economic output and more than a quarter of exports.
However, three more Catalonia-based companies joined a business exodus from the region that has gathered steam since the 1 October referendum.
Property group Inmobiliaria Colonial and infrastructure firm Abertis both decided to relocate their head offices to Madrid and telecoms firm Cellnex said it would do the same for as long as political uncertainty continued.
Publishing house Grupo Planeta said it would move its registered office from Barcelona to Madrid if the Catalan parliament unilaterally declared independence.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments