Catalonia will declare independence from Spain in a matter of days, the leader of the autonomous region has told the BBC.<\/p>\n
In his first interview since Sunday’s referendum, Carles Puigdemont said his government would “act at the end of this week or the beginning of next”.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Spain’s King Felipe VI said organisers of the vote put themselves “outside the law”.<\/p>\n
He said the situation in Spain was “extremely serious”, calling for unity.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of thousands of people across Catalonia have been protesting over Spanish police violence during the vote, during which nearly 900 people were hurt.<\/p>\n
During the vote, 33 police officers were also injured, local medical officials said.<\/p>\n
In the BBC interview, Catalonia’s President Carles Puigdemont said his government would “act at the end of this week or the beginning of next”.<\/p>\n
When asked what he would do if the Spanish government were to intervene and take control of Catalonia’s government, Mr Puigdemont said it would be “an error which changes everything”.<\/p>\n
Mr Puigdemont said there was currently no contact between the government in Madrid and his devolved administration.<\/p>\n
He disagreed with the European Commission’s statement on Monday that events in Catalonia were an internal issue for Spain.<\/p>\n
He was speaking shortly before the king’s speech.<\/p>\n
In his televised address to the nation, the king said the Catalan leaders who organised the referendum showed their “disrespect to the powers of the state”.<\/p>\n
“They have broken the democratic principles of the rule of law.<\/p>\n
“Today, the Catalan society is fractured,” the king said, warning that the poll could put at risk the economy of the wealthy north-eastern region and the whole of Spain.<\/p>\n
But he stressed that Spain “will overcome difficult times”.<\/p>\n
The central government has described the referendum as illegal.<\/p>\n
Huge protest rallies have been taking place across Catalonia.<\/p>\n
In Barcelona alone, 700,000 people took to the streets, city police were quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.<\/p>\n
This has not been confirmed by the authorities in Madrid.<\/p>\n
More than 50 roadblocks in the city caused big traffic jams. Barcelona’s metro traffic was cut to a 25% service during rush hour and no trains at all at other times.<\/p>\n
Barcelona’s port was at a standstill, trade union sources said.<\/p>\n
Top tourist attractions were also closed, including the city’s famous Sagrada Familia church.<\/p>\n
Mercabarna – Barcelona’s massive wholesale market – was left deserted as some 770 food businesses closed for the day.<\/p>\n
However, the city’s El Prat airport and its taxis are operating normally.<\/p>\n
Many small businesses have shut for the day. Schools, universities and medical services were also closed or operating at a minimum level.<\/p>\n
The strike was called in protest at “the grave violation of rights and freedoms” seen during the ballot.<\/p>\n
Some police officers were seen firing rubber bullets, storming into polling stations and pulling women by their hair.<\/p>\n
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said the vote made a “mockery” of democracy.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Tuesday, Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said: “We see how day after day the government of Catalonia is pushing the population to the abyss and inciting rebellion in the streets.”<\/p>\n
He also warned that the central government would take “all measures necessary to stop acts of harassment”.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya S\u00e1enz de Santamar\u00eda condemned the “mafia” behaviour of those protesters who had earlier gathered around hotels housing Spanish police officers and demanded that they leave.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, more than 2.2 million people reportedly voted in the referendum. The Catalan government says the vote in support of independence was nearly 90%, but official results have not yet been released.<\/p>\n
Turnout was relatively low at a reported 42%, potentially weakening the position of Mr Puigdemont.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, political leaders are trying to find a way forward.<\/p>\n
Mr Puigdemont earlier said he wanted a new understanding with the government in Madrid, but the Spanish government has warned it could suspend autonomy of the region.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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