SPAIN ON THE BRINK: Deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont ‘refuses to be fired’ and vows to fight Madrid direct rule

Carles Puigdemont delivered a speech to say he would not acknowledge his dismissal (Image: AP: Associated Press)

 

Spain remains on a knife-edge as tensions between both sides continue to grow, with brawls already having broken out in Barcelona last night

As the Spanish government held its first meeting to discuss their new roles since imposing direct rule over Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont instead promised to continue to build a “free country”, and called for “democratic opposition” to Madrid.

In the pre-recorded, televised message, Puigdemont urged people to continue pushing for independence, saying: “We do not deviate: we continue persevering in the only attitude that can make us winners.

“Without violence, without insults, in an inclusive way, respecting people and symbols, opinions, and also respecting the protests of the Catalans who do not agree with what has decided the parliamentary majority.”

Spain CHAOS as Catalans launch mass strikes in protest over referendum

Spanish Guardia Civil guards drag a man (AFP/Getty Images)

 

CATALAN independence protesters are holding strikes to bring swathes of the region to a standstill today in anger at the Spanish government’s refusal to accept the result.

Catalan trade unions and associates called for the action due to “the grave violation of rights and freedoms” seen when heavily armed Spanish officers clashed with voters on Sunday.

Madrid, which deemed the referendum illegal, deployed hundreds of officers in a last desperate attempt to stop the ballot from going ahead. 

Victorious Catalan separatists claim mandate to break with Spain

Remember who would stand to gain the most in Europe from a Catalonia secession.

 

Separatists on Sunday won a clear majority of seats in Catalonia’s parliament in an election that sets the region on a collision course with Spain’s central government over independence.

“Catalans have voted yes to independence,” acting regional government head Artur Mas told supporters, with secessionist parties securing 72 out of 135 seats in the powerful region of 7.5 million people that includes Barcelona.

The strong pro-independence showing dealt a blow to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, three months before a national election. His center-right government, which has opposed attempts to hold a referendum on secession, has called the separatist plan “a nonsense” and vowed to block it in court.