SPAIN BRACES
But Madrid, Catalan leaders show signs they are willing to defuse crisis
MADRID crisis.
Catalan government minister Santi Vila, a close of ally of regional president Carles Puigdemont, meanwhile, told broadcaster Rac1 that his side could consider a “ceasefire” in the dispute to avoid a further crackdown by Madrid.
Businesses and the government kept up economic pressure on Catalonia, however, with several big companies announcing moves to shift their legal domiciles to other parts of Spain.
Opponents of secession had called for demonstrations around Spain and a major rally in Barcelona yesterday.
People who supported dialogue to end the crisis plan to gather in a bid to pressure mayors nationwide. The anonymous initiative, which spread across social media, sought to promote talks using the slogan: “Spain is better than its leaders.”
Puigdemont postponed an appearance in the regional Parliament, at which some leaders were hoping for a declaration of independence, a spokesman said, gaining time and easing tensions. It was unclear what he planned to say at the session.
Spain’s central government apologised on behalf of police to people hurt in last Sunday’s referendum disturbances.
“I can do nothing, but regret it, apologise on behalf of the officers who intervened,” said the government’s representative in Catalonia, Enric Millo.
Central government spokesman Ignacio Mendez de Vigo also said later he “regretted” the injuries.
“It would be good to start mending this fracture... through regional elections,” he said.
In Madrid, meanwhile, Catalonia’s police chief and two prominent separatist leaders avoided being remanded in custody at a court hearing Friday over sedition accusations.
The court summons raised tensions, but, despite the gravity of the accusations, the court did not issue a custodial order that could have further escalated the dispute.
Spain’s Constitutional Court on Thursday ordered the suspension of a session scheduled for Monday in the Catalan Parliament, at which some leaders have called for an independence declaration.
If Catalonia declared independence, Spain could respond by suspending the region’s existing autonomous status and imposing direct rule from Madrid. AFP