Catalan leader says he has independence mandate

REFERENDUM: Government does not consider result of vote to be valid

The leader of Catalonia said last night he has a mandate to declare independence from Spain but is suspending secession for “a few weeks” to pursue negotiations with the Spanish government.

The central government in Spain responded by saying it did not accept the declaration of independence and did not consider the October 1 referendum or its results to be valid.

In his highly-anticipated speech to the regional parliament, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said the landslide victory gave his government the grounds to implement its long-held desire to break century-old ties with Spain.

However, he proposed the regional parliament “suspend the effects of the independence declaration to commence a dialogue, not only for reducing tension but for reaching an accord on a solution to go forward with the demands of the Catalan people”.

“We have to listen to the voices that have asked us to give a chance for dialogue with the Spanish state,” Mr Puigdemont said.

The Spanish government does not accept the “implicit” declaration of independence by the separatists and the results of a banned referendum cannot be considered valid, an official said.

The government will meet today to decide whether to apply Article 155 of constitution to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy.

Some 2.3 million Catalans voted in the referendum, with 90% of those who cast a ballot in favour of independence.

Pictures: Getty. Above and below: Pro-independence supporters celebrate outside the Parliament of Catalunya.