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Catalan Leader Is Expected to Declare Independence Catalan Leader Says Region Has Earned Independence, but Calls for Talks With Madrid
(about 5 hours later)
BARCELONA, Spain — The battle between Catalan separatists and the Spanish central government headed for a showdown Tuesday evening, when Carles Puigdemont, the leader of the region, was expected to declare independence from the rest of the country. BARCELONA, Spain — The leader of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, said on Tuesday evening that his region had earned the right to independence from Spain, but he immediately suspended the process to allow for talks with the central government in Madrid.
Politicians and analysts expect Mr. Puigdemont, who is to speak to the regional Parliament at 6 p.m., to issue a toned-down declaration that would leave the door open for negotiations with the national government in Madrid, although Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has rejected any dialogue with Catalan separatists until they abandon plans for secession. “I ask Parliament to suspend the declaration of independence so that in the coming weeks we can undertake a dialogue,” he said.
Mr. Puigdemont is struggling to keep together his unwieldy alliance of separatist lawmakers, who control a majority of the seats in the Catalan Parliament after winning 48 percent of the votes in 2015. In a long-awaited speech to the regional parliament in Barcelona, Mr. Puigdemont said that Catalonia had won the right to independence as a republic free from Spain, but left open the door to negotiations and to mediation.
Hard-line separatists want Mr. Puigdemont to meet his pledge to follow through on the results of the highly disputed Catalan referendum on Oct. 1, in which voters in the region backed independence, although the vote had been suspended by the Constitutional Court in Madrid. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of Spain has rejected any dialogue with Catalan separatists unless they abandon plans for secession, and Mr. Puigdemont and his allies are now in danger of arrest for sedition, and the Catalan parliament at risk of being disbanded.
Lawmakers from Mr. Puigdemont’s conservative party, however, are wary about further escalating tensions with Madrid, especially after several prominent companies announced plans to move their headquarters from Catalonia because of legal uncertainties of a secession. “We are here because on Sunday, October 1, Catalonia held a referendum and did so in extreme conditions,” he said. “There were violent police attacks against voters who were just waiting to deposit their ballot paper. More than 800 people were treated by medical services and the world saw it.”
Miquel Iceta, the leader of the Catalan Socialist Party, which opposes secession, warned that Mr. Puigdemont would put Catalonia in a very difficult situation, regardless of how he presented his independence plan. He added: “The Spanish state didn’t just want to confiscate ballot boxes and ballot papers. The main goals was to scare the people and force them to stay at home. But despite all these efforts, more than 2.2 million people voted because they overcame fear.”
Mr. Puigdemont said that the region had asked 18 times for permission to hold a vote on autonomy. “All we wanted was a Scottish-style referendum where both sides were able to put their views forward,” he said. “We were denied, time and time again.”
Switching from Catalan to Spanish, he added: “We are not criminals or coup plotters — just ordinary people who simply want to vote. We have nothing against the Spaniards.”
The speech appeared to constitute a tight balancing act aimed at placating several factions within his unwieldy alliance of separatist lawmakers, who control a majority of the seats in the Catalan Parliament after winning 48 percent of the votes in 2015.
Hard-line separatists hoped Mr. Puigdemont (pronounced POOTCH-da-mon) would follow through on the results of the highly disputed Catalan referendum on Oct. 1, in which voters in the region backed independence, although the Constitutional Court in Madrid had declared the vote illegal. To pressure Mr. Puigdemont into sticking to his promise, the main separatist associations had called for a citizens’ rally near the Parliament building to push the Catalan political leadership to stick to the independence pledge.
Lawmakers from Mr. Puigdemont’s conservative party, however, were wary about further escalating tensions with Madrid, especially after several prominent companies announced plans to move their headquarters from Catalonia because of legal uncertainties of a secession.
Before the speech, Miquel Iceta, the leader of the Catalan Socialist Party, which opposes secession, warned that Mr. Puigdemont would put Catalonia in a very difficult situation, regardless of how he presented his independence plan.
“To play with the words doesn’t remove their significance,” Mr. Iceta told La Sexta, a Spanish television channel. “You either declare independence or not. This is looking very bad; let’s not fool people.”“To play with the words doesn’t remove their significance,” Mr. Iceta told La Sexta, a Spanish television channel. “You either declare independence or not. This is looking very bad; let’s not fool people.”
Juan Ignacio Zoido, the Spanish interior minister, urged Mr. Puigdemont on Tuesday to “take a step back,” saying the Catalan leader had no choice but to respect the Constitution. “Outside the law,” Mr. Zoido said, “there is no possible dialogue and only confrontation, which we have advised against since the very first minute.”Juan Ignacio Zoido, the Spanish interior minister, urged Mr. Puigdemont on Tuesday to “take a step back,” saying the Catalan leader had no choice but to respect the Constitution. “Outside the law,” Mr. Zoido said, “there is no possible dialogue and only confrontation, which we have advised against since the very first minute.”
Mr. Zoido told reporters that the Spanish police were prepared to intervene if street protests intensified in Catalonia, which concerns some Catalan officials. A police crackdown on the day of the referendum left hundreds injured, according to the Catalan authorities, and many in the region fear that an independence declaration could trigger another harsh response.Mr. Zoido told reporters that the Spanish police were prepared to intervene if street protests intensified in Catalonia, which concerns some Catalan officials. A police crackdown on the day of the referendum left hundreds injured, according to the Catalan authorities, and many in the region fear that an independence declaration could trigger another harsh response.
Jordi Turull, a spokesman for the Catalan government, said the police had “acted as a vehicle for politics.”Jordi Turull, a spokesman for the Catalan government, said the police had “acted as a vehicle for politics.”
Mr. Turull refused at a news conference to discuss the wording of the anticipated independence declaration, saying instead that everything would become “perfectly clear” once Mr. Puigdemont addressed Catalan lawmakers.Mr. Turull refused at a news conference to discuss the wording of the anticipated independence declaration, saying instead that everything would become “perfectly clear” once Mr. Puigdemont addressed Catalan lawmakers.
In the hours before Mr. Puigdemont’s address, his first to the regional Parliament since the referendum, the main separatist associations have called for a citizens’ rally near the Parliament building to push leaders to stick to the independence pledge.In the hours before Mr. Puigdemont’s address, his first to the regional Parliament since the referendum, the main separatist associations have called for a citizens’ rally near the Parliament building to push leaders to stick to the independence pledge.
Mr. Puigdemont was to speak after a morning meeting with his government to agree on the final wording of the address, which could include a clause that would delay enforcement of any declaration of independence for months. That would allow time for international mediation, although the central government, led by Mr. Rajoy, has shown no willingness to engage in the current circumstances.Mr. Puigdemont was to speak after a morning meeting with his government to agree on the final wording of the address, which could include a clause that would delay enforcement of any declaration of independence for months. That would allow time for international mediation, although the central government, led by Mr. Rajoy, has shown no willingness to engage in the current circumstances.
At the Catalan Parliament, nervous politicians and a number of journalists counted down the hours before Mr. Puigdemont’s announcement. The Catalan police sealed off the surrounding area on Tuesday in expectation of unrest, and visitors to the building were required to pass through several layers of additional security.At the Catalan Parliament, nervous politicians and a number of journalists counted down the hours before Mr. Puigdemont’s announcement. The Catalan police sealed off the surrounding area on Tuesday in expectation of unrest, and visitors to the building were required to pass through several layers of additional security.
Inside the building, lawmakers from opposing factions passed one another without making eye contact. As officials from Mr. Rajoy’s party marched past the door of Mr. Puigdemont’s party, one muttered angrily about the “madness” of those who had voted for independence.Inside the building, lawmakers from opposing factions passed one another without making eye contact. As officials from Mr. Rajoy’s party marched past the door of Mr. Puigdemont’s party, one muttered angrily about the “madness” of those who had voted for independence.
Breezing down the same corridor, Mr. Puigdemont’s allies appeared buoyant. “This is historic for not only the pro-independence movement but also all people who love this country,” Marta Pascal, a lawmaker, said as she moved between meetings.Breezing down the same corridor, Mr. Puigdemont’s allies appeared buoyant. “This is historic for not only the pro-independence movement but also all people who love this country,” Marta Pascal, a lawmaker, said as she moved between meetings.
Any declaration of independence would force Mr. Rajoy to make a difficult decision of his own. The prime minister has taken a hard line against the separatists, but strong reprisals against Mr. Puigdemont could galvanize the independence movement, particularly after the police crackdown on the day of the referendum.Any declaration of independence would force Mr. Rajoy to make a difficult decision of his own. The prime minister has taken a hard line against the separatists, but strong reprisals against Mr. Puigdemont could galvanize the independence movement, particularly after the police crackdown on the day of the referendum.
Mr. Rajoy, who has asked to appear before the Spanish Parliament on Wednesday, has a battery of emergency measures that he could use to stop Catalan secessionism in its tracks.Mr. Rajoy, who has asked to appear before the Spanish Parliament on Wednesday, has a battery of emergency measures that he could use to stop Catalan secessionism in its tracks.
The Spanish Constitution allows Mr. Rajoy to suspend the regional Parliament and to take full administrative control over Catalonia, including the leadership of its autonomous police force and its public broadcaster.The Spanish Constitution allows Mr. Rajoy to suspend the regional Parliament and to take full administrative control over Catalonia, including the leadership of its autonomous police force and its public broadcaster.
Spain’s public prosecutors could also open criminal proceedings against Mr. Puigdemont and his government. On Monday, Pablo Casado, the spokesman for Mr. Rajoy’s governing party, warned that Mr. Puigdemont could be imprisoned for insurrection.Spain’s public prosecutors could also open criminal proceedings against Mr. Puigdemont and his government. On Monday, Pablo Casado, the spokesman for Mr. Rajoy’s governing party, warned that Mr. Puigdemont could be imprisoned for insurrection.
Inés Arrimadas, the leader of the Catalan branch of the Ciudadanos party, which is fiercely opposed to secession, called on Tuesday for Mr. Puigdemont to convene new Catalan elections rather than risk escalating tensions by promising an independence that he cannot enforce.Inés Arrimadas, the leader of the Catalan branch of the Ciudadanos party, which is fiercely opposed to secession, called on Tuesday for Mr. Puigdemont to convene new Catalan elections rather than risk escalating tensions by promising an independence that he cannot enforce.
“Today Catalonia’s citizenship is split right down the middle,” Ms. Arrimadas told La Sexta. “Part of it is excited about something that won’t happen — and that will provoke frustration.”“Today Catalonia’s citizenship is split right down the middle,” Ms. Arrimadas told La Sexta. “Part of it is excited about something that won’t happen — and that will provoke frustration.”
In Sant Jaume Square in Barcelona, a line of television cameras pointed at the facade of the headquarters of the Catalonian regional government, which for now still flies both the Catalan and national flags.In Sant Jaume Square in Barcelona, a line of television cameras pointed at the facade of the headquarters of the Catalonian regional government, which for now still flies both the Catalan and national flags.
Tourists wandered around snapping pictures, and a teacher shushed a class trip of French students.Tourists wandered around snapping pictures, and a teacher shushed a class trip of French students.
Soledad Martínez, a 35-year-old doctoral student who had just moved back to Barcelona from Britain, said that while the city seemed normal on the surface, people’s conversations were full of doubt and anxiety about their immediate future.Soledad Martínez, a 35-year-old doctoral student who had just moved back to Barcelona from Britain, said that while the city seemed normal on the surface, people’s conversations were full of doubt and anxiety about their immediate future.
“It’s kind of a schizophrenic moment,” she said, adding that a palpable rage imbued the city’s streets. “Something big might happen.”“It’s kind of a schizophrenic moment,” she said, adding that a palpable rage imbued the city’s streets. “Something big might happen.”
She said her boyfriend’s boss had given his employees the option of going home early to avoid any potential violence, and she said that she was obsessively checking her phone for updates from Spanish news outlets.She said her boyfriend’s boss had given his employees the option of going home early to avoid any potential violence, and she said that she was obsessively checking her phone for updates from Spanish news outlets.
As a man next to her set up a sign urging the politicians to talk the problem out, Ms. Martínez explained that she did not support the independence movement but understood the frustrations that had given rise to it.As a man next to her set up a sign urging the politicians to talk the problem out, Ms. Martínez explained that she did not support the independence movement but understood the frustrations that had given rise to it.
Mostly she expressed bewilderment at how the situation had reached such a dangerous point. “I’m angry,” she said. “Why did they put us in this position?”Mostly she expressed bewilderment at how the situation had reached such a dangerous point. “I’m angry,” she said. “Why did they put us in this position?”
Looking around her, she again noted that things seemed so normal. “I think always the day before the war it is like this,” she said.Looking around her, she again noted that things seemed so normal. “I think always the day before the war it is like this,” she said.
Inside a cloister lined with lime trees at Barcelona University, students discussed the day’s events, sitting under stickers that read “Independence, Yes” and an orange real estate sign advertising “Dictatorship for rent by the Spanish government.”Inside a cloister lined with lime trees at Barcelona University, students discussed the day’s events, sitting under stickers that read “Independence, Yes” and an orange real estate sign advertising “Dictatorship for rent by the Spanish government.”
Sandra Anglés, 33, said she was “scared” and criticized Spain’s “fascist government.” Her friend Maria Cuevas Barba, 31, was also critical of the Spanish government and said it was important not to sit on the sidelines of history.Sandra Anglés, 33, said she was “scared” and criticized Spain’s “fascist government.” Her friend Maria Cuevas Barba, 31, was also critical of the Spanish government and said it was important not to sit on the sidelines of history.
She said she had voted for independence and participated in a general strike, and she planned to demonstrate Tuesday afternoon in front of the Catalan Parliament.She said she had voted for independence and participated in a general strike, and she planned to demonstrate Tuesday afternoon in front of the Catalan Parliament.
“We have to be part of this,” she said.“We have to be part of this,” she said.