Catalonia’s leader Carles Puigdemont delayed the official declaration of Catalonia’s independence to allow for an opportunity for talks and negations to reach a solution with Spain.
Addressing regional parliament in Barcelona on Tuesday, Mr Puigdemont said,
“I assume mandate that Catalonia should become an independent state in the form of a republic… I propose suspending the effects of the declaration of independence to undertake talks to reach an agreed solution. We propose the suspension of the effects of the declaration of independence for a few weeks, to open a period of dialogue. If everyone acts responsibly the conflict can be resolved in a calm and agreeable manner.”
Laying out Catalonia’s historical grievances with the Spanish state, Mr Puigdemont also addressed the people of Spain, stating,
“I want to send you a message of calmness and respect; of the will for political dialogue and agreement. We’re not criminals. We’re not mad. We’re not carrying out a coup. We’re normal people who wan tto be able to vote and who have been prepared to engage in whatever dialogue was necessary to do so in a mutually agreed way. We have nothing against Spain or the Spanish. On the contrary, we want to get to understand one another better.”
Spain’s government has repeatedly threatened to arrest and outlaw Catalan politicians if they declare independence.
