Tensions rise as Spain’s PM tells Catalonia: We will not be blackmailed
constitutional crisis in years following an independence refendum poll on Sunday that was marred by violence as police tried to enforce a Spanish court ban on the vote. Catalan officials say 90 per cent of those who voted backed independence, although offical results have yet to be announced.
Mr Puigdemont told the BBC he would declare independence “at the end of this week or the beginning of next”. The Catalan government has said there will be an extraordinary meeting of parliament on Monday to discuss the next move.
King Felipe made a TV address on Tuesday night, calling Sunday’s vote illegal and undemocratic.
That prompted the rare public attack on the monarch from Mr Puigdemont, who accused the king of adopting the Spanish government’s position.
Without specifically mentioning plans for an independence declaration, he added: “I am sure that in the next few days we will show the best of our country when the institutions of Catalonia will have to apply the results of the referendum.
“Today we are closer than yesterday to our historic wish.”
Mr Puigdemont thanked Spanish citizens who had sent their “solidarity” to Catalonia and added: “The moment calls for mediation.”
But the Spanish government showed little sign of wanting to compromise. “The government will not negotiate over anything illegal and will not accept blackmail,” said Mr Rajoy’s statement.
Nearly 900 people were hurt on Sunday as police violently tried to enforce a Spanish court order suspending the vote, which the government had declared illegal.
Police officers were seen firing rubber bullets, storming into polling stations and pulling women by their hair. Some 33 police officers were also injured.
Opinion polls conducted before the vote suggested a minority of around 40 per cent of residents in Catalonia backed independence. But a majority wanted a referendum to be held, and the violent police crackdown angered Catalans across the divide, appearing to boost support for independence.