BREAKING | Catalonia Suspends Independence In Favor Of Dialog
9 days after the violent suppression of Catalonia's referendum by Spain's civil Guard Carles Puigdemont the Catalan leader has just addressed the Catalan parliament. The 45 minute speech that was delayed by an hour due to talks with other government officials started by condemning the violence that occurred on October 1st. He then briefly gave his reason for the referendum by explaining that Catalonia has "tried for dialogue 18 times with the Spanish government" and have "always received a 'no' from the Spanish government (when asking to hold a referendum)"
The outcome of this speech surprised the thousands of people who had gathered outside the Catalan parliament to watch the speech on large TV screens. Many were expecting to hear a unilateral declaration of independence but were visibly disappointed as they stood silently staring at the screens after learning that independence was to be suspended in favor of talks with the Spanish government.
Puigdemont went on to explain that he was "here to hold a dialogue" and wanted pro independence supporters to understand that they're "beginning to be heard and this has never happened before." He also tried to reason with the anti independence supporters by stating that "We're not crazy, we're not trying to fight against democracy. We're normal people. We've asked to vote, just to vote." "The voting said yes to independence and this is the way I'm going to follow." In his final few words he seemed adamant that independence will still go ahead but explained that "We have to start a dialogue because otherwise it wouldn't be possible to reach our goal."
The Prime Minister of Spain is expected to reply to this recent decision for dialog by Catalonia in a speech tomorrow afternoon. With 3 Spanish navy ships currently heading to Barcelona you can bet that whatever the outcome might be from the Prime Ministers speech tomorrow this is far from over. You can watch Carles Puigdemont full speech below:
Puigdemont and the politicians of catanluya knew that this was going to happen, is not new, only played with the illusion of the town of catalunya that ended up taking a beating. Politicians can say what they want, but they used people to suffer, they fight for them, as always, the people kill and die at the discretion of the politician on duty. Both the Spanish government and the Catalan politicians have to listen to the people to all the people, and attend to their needs.
Very good objective post!!! Fantastic speech of Puigdemont! I'm in favour of the Catalan independence but I understand we need to agree a framework with everybody, Democracy against authoritarianism.
Visca Catalunya!
Thanks.
Yes it's a pretty awkward situation for everyone involved at the moment.
Isn't it Democracy the moment the Majority Voted for Independence? what else is there to talk about?
I guess its kind of an olive branch.
The votes aren't an olive branch/symbol but the clear demonstrated consensus, it doesn't represent the votes of people, it's simply the votes of the people, so the visibly disappointed have a right to stew as everyone knows what the next step is: Lawful Governance, and not debating under oppressive Tyranny.