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| Europe |
| Catalonia's leader: Independence declaration within days |
| 2017-10-04 |
| [ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Catalonia’s leader Carles Puigdemont told the BBC that the region will declare independence in a matter of days in response to Spain’s King Felipe VI speech on Tuesday night, as thousands erupted into the streets to protest against a violent police crackdown. King Feipe accused Catalan secessionist leaders who staged a banned independence referendum of shattering democratic principles and dividing Catalan society. He said that he was committed to the unity of Spain and added that the "irresponsible behavior" of the Catalan leaders had undermined social harmony in Catalonia. "Today Catalan society is fractured and in conflict," he said. Puigdemont said that his government would "act at the end of this week or the beginning of next", in his interview with the BBC. When asked by the BBC what Puigdemont would do if the Spanish government were to intervene and take control of Catalonia's government, he said it would be "an error which changes everything". The regional leader opened the door to a unilateral declaration of independence from Spain on Sunday after voters defied a violent police crackdown and, according to regional officials, voted 90 percent in favor of breaking away. Tens of thousands of Catalans demonstrated in the streets of the northeastern region against action by the police, who tried to disrupt Sunday’s vote by firing rubber bullets and charging into crowds with truncheons. Tuesday’s protests shut down road traffic, public transport and businesses. |
| Posted by:Fred |