Catalan President Carles Puigdemont expected to address parliament
Carles Puigdemont is expected to appear before Catalonia’s regional parliament today to speak on the October 1 secession referendum.
The referendum turned violent after Spanish police raided 400 polling stations, injuring more than 800 Catalans. Puigdemont’s parliamentary address could lead to another clash; a planned October 9 parliamentary session was cancelled by Spain’s Supreme Court amid concerns that it would be used to declare independence, leading to worries Madrid might interfere with Puidegemont’s address. Although Puidgemont’s office stated that the President merely intends to “report on the current political situation” he has previously said that he would use the referendum to declare independence.
Although Madrid formally apologized for its use of police, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy still refuses to negotiate until demands for independence are dropped.
As a result, hundreds of thousands of Catalonians have taken to the streets both in support of and opposition to Catalan independence With the regional government moving towards independence and no compromise in sight, expect to see a greater crackdown and violence from Madrid.
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