Catalonia declares independence, puts it on hold
The Catalan Parliament signed a declaration of independence in a session eagerly watched by the whole world. However, they said that the declaration will not be implemented for several weeks, allowing time for talks with the Spanish government, which has dismissed the independence declaration. Madrid had been stepping up pressure on Catalonia after it recently held a disputed referendum. Here's more on what happened.
On October 5, Catalonia's president Carles Puigdemont stated that they may declare independence "at the end of this week or the beginning of the next." 90% of Catalan voters overwhelmingly voted for independence from Spain in a recently conducted referendum. Meanwhile, the Spanish government in Madrid stressed that the referendum was illegal and slammed the Catalan government for breaking democratic principles.
Catalonia is an area located in the north-east of Spain and is considered to be among its richest and most industrialized areas. With its capital in Barcelona, Catalonia has a distinct identity and language from Spain.
Catalan authorities defied Madrid to hold a referendum to ascertain whether its population favored Catalonia becoming independent from Spain. The referendum was marred by violence as Madrid deployed its police forces to forcibly prevent voting. The crackdown left 900 people injured and significantly angered Catalans. 90% of 2.2 million voters, who amounted to 40% of Catalonia's population backed independence.
Despite overwhelming support for independence, Madrid, along with major businesses and the EU have been warning Catalonia of the negative consequences of independence. Two major banks and four companies announced their decision to move their head offices out of Catalonia. European Council President Donald Tusk warned Catalan President Carles Puigdemont of the negative impacts of an independence declaration "for Catalans, Spain, and Europe."
Addressing the Parliament, Puigdemont said that the people of Catalonia voted for independence and that he would carry their will forward. He slammed Madrid for using force to stop the referendum from proceeding. He further conveyed that he wished to "de-escalate tensions" and called on the parliament to suspend the declaration until talks with the Spanish government begin.
Madrid has outright rejected the independence declaration. Spain has also conveyed that no one can impose mediation on them. Meanwhile, BBC reports that mediation under the auspices of an international organization may happen soon. Regardless of whether Madrid comes to the negotiating table, Catalan leaders are likely to come under double pressure from both pro-independence supporters and the Spanish government.
