Spanish gov’t dismisses call for Catalan talks amid wave of unrest
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Spain’s government dismissed calls on Saturday from Catalonia’s pro-independence regional chief for talks over a wave of violence sparked by the jailing of separatist leaders.
Barcelona saw its worst night of disturbances in decades on Friday as masked youths blocked roads with blazing garbage bins and hurled rocks at security forces, who responded by firing repeated rounds of smoke grenades and tear gas.
Catalonia’s president, Quim Torra, said the violence did not reflect the peaceful nature of the traditional Catalan independence movement and asked for discussions with Madrid.
“We urge the acting prime minister of the Spanish government to sit at a negotiating table to talk,” he told reporters.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Torra must first unequivocally condemn the unrest.
“Mr. Torra must strongly condemn the violence, which he has not done so far,” Sanchez said in a statement, adding he also needed to build bridges with the many Catalans who do not want secession.
“The government of Spain reiterates that the problem of Catalonia is not independence, which will not occur because it is not legal and nor do the majority of Catalans want it, but rather coexistence,” he said.
Protests erupted this week after Spain’s Supreme Court handed down lengthy prison terms to nine Catalan leaders for their role in a failed independence bid in 2017, which included holding a referendum that courts had deemed illegal.
Independence is a highly divisive issue in Catalonia, which is Spain’s wealthiest region and has some 7.5 million inhabitants and its own language, parliament and flag.
An opinion poll in July showed backing for secession at its lowest level in two years, with 48.3% of people against and 44% in favor.
Spain’s main parties have consistently refused to hold an independence referendum in the region, although Sanchez’s Socialists have said they are open to dialogue on other issues.
Torra said earlier this week said Catalonia should hold a new vote on self-determination within two years. On Saturday, he said the will of the people would be respected.
“We will go as far as the people of Catalonia want to go,” Torra said.