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Catalan referendum: Vote illegal - Spain's King Felipe Catalan referendum: Vote illegal - Spain's King Felipe
(35 minutes later)
Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned organisers of Catalonia's independence referendum for having put themselves "outside the law". In a TV address, Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned organisers of Catalonia's independence referendum for having put themselves "outside the law".
In a TV address to the nation, he said the situation in Spain was "extremely serious", and called for unity. He said the situation in Spain was "extremely serious", calling for unity.
Hundreds of thousands in Catalonia have been protesting over Spanish police violence during Sunday's vote, during which nearly 900 people were hurt.Hundreds of thousands in Catalonia have been protesting over Spanish police violence during Sunday's vote, during which nearly 900 people were hurt.
The central government in Madrid has described the referendum as illegal. Meanwhile, Catalonia's leader told the BBC the autonomous region would declare independence in a matter of days.
In his first interview since the referendum, Carles Puigdemont said his government would "act at the end of this week or the beginning of next".
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".
Mr Puigdemont said there was currently no contact between the government in Madrid and his devolved administration.
What the king didn't say
Patrick Jackson, BBC News, Barcelona
When the speech ended, customers in this city centre bar thumped tables and whistled contemptuously, then quickly resumed normal conversation - King Felipe may as well have not spoken.
It was the things he omitted that rankled - no words about those shocking scenes of police beating voters on Sunday, no urgent appeal for dialogue between the Spanish and Catalan governments, no acknowledgment of the real hunger here for independence or at least a proper, legal referendum, not even a word or two of Catalan.
Instead, he expressed the position of the government, echoing its firm opposition to the vote, saying Catalan leaders had positioned themselves outside the law. He guaranteed "democratic coexistence" on Spanish terms only.
It was a missed opportunity to push the two sides towards dialogue, one customer told me afterwards.
"It doesn't help the situation at all," said another. "I was not expecting him to intervene at all, actually, but he should at least have mentioned the violence here two days ago."
The central government has described the referendum as illegal.
During the vote, 33 police officers were also injured, local medical officials said.During the vote, 33 police officers were also injured, local medical officials said.
In his address, King Felipe VI said Catalan leaders who organised the referendum showed their "disrespect to the powers of the state".In his address, King Felipe VI said Catalan leaders who organised the referendum showed their "disrespect to the powers of the state".
"They have broken the democratic principles of the rule of law."They have broken the democratic principles of the rule of law.
"Today, the Catalan society is fractured," the king said, warning that the poll could put at risk the economy of the wealthy autonomous north-eastern region and the whole of Spain. "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.
But he stressed that Spain "will overcome difficult times".But he stressed that Spain "will overcome difficult times".
Huge protest rallies have been taking place across Catalonia.Huge protest rallies have been taking place across Catalonia.
In Barcelona alone, 700,000 people took to the streets, city police were quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.In Barcelona alone, 700,000 people took to the streets, city police were quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
This has not been confirmed by the authorities in Madrid.This has not been confirmed by the authorities in Madrid.
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.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.
Barcelona's port was at a standstill, trade union sources said.Barcelona's port was at a standstill, trade union sources said.
Top tourist attractions were also closed, including the city's famous Sagrada Familia church.Top tourist attractions were also closed, including the city's famous Sagrada Familia church.
Mercabarna - Barcelona's massive wholesale market - was left deserted as some 770 food businesses closed for the day.Mercabarna - Barcelona's massive wholesale market - was left deserted as some 770 food businesses closed for the day.
However, the city's El Prat airport and its taxis are operating normally.However, the city's El Prat airport and its taxis are operating normally.
Many small businesses have shut for the day. Schools, universities and medical services were also closed or operating at a minimum level.Many small businesses have shut for the day. Schools, universities and medical services were also closed or operating at a minimum level.
The strike was called in protest at "the grave violation of rights and freedoms" seen during Sunday's ballot.The strike was called in protest at "the grave violation of rights and freedoms" seen during Sunday's ballot.
Some police officers were seen firing rubber bullets, storming into polling stations and pulling women by their hair.Some police officers were seen firing rubber bullets, storming into polling stations and pulling women by their hair.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said the vote made a "mockery" of democracy.Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said the vote made a "mockery" of democracy.
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."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."
He also warned that the central government would take "all measures necessary to stop acts of harassment".He also warned that the central government would take "all measures necessary to stop acts of harassment".
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría condemned the "mafia" behaviour of those protesters who had earlier gathered around hotels housing Spanish police officers and demanded that they leave.Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría condemned the "mafia" behaviour of those protesters who had earlier gathered around hotels housing Spanish police officers and demanded that they leave.
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.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.
Turnout was relatively low at a reported 42%, potentially weakening the position of Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont. Turnout was relatively low at a reported 42%, potentially weakening the position of Mr Puigdemont.
'The street will always be ours'
Patrick Jackson, BBC News, Barcelona
Drumbeats thunder and echo up and down Laietana Street, where last night's anti-police protest of hundreds outside the city's National Police HQ has swollen into a roaring human river above which bob the lone-star flags of Catalan independence.
As a surveillance helicopter's blades beat time overhead, vans of the local Mossos police slowly negotiate the alleys as the force fulfils its peculiar role as both guardians of their national colleagues, and heroes of the crowd who cheer and chant: "Our police are here."
"It's more than a flag, it's like a feeling," says Roger Mayor, 18, as his friends show off the flags they are wearing.
"We think the Spanish government just want us for the money and they hate us. The Spanish police actions on Sunday were surreal. It felt like being in a horror film. We spent all day in a school [polling station] and we were very scared, though the police didn't come."
Xavi Alba, 28, and his mates pass by with a shopping trolley draped in the Catalan communist flag as the crowd chants: "The street will always be ours". It's stuffed with beer mostly, he explains while drinking a can.
"We go around Barcelona occupying the streets to protest at the repression. It's not about independence, it's about democracy. When we see people with Spanish flags, we just hug them. Yeah, they hug us too!"
Meanwhile, political leaders are trying to find a way forward.Meanwhile, political leaders are trying to find a way forward.
Mr Puigdemont has said he wants a new understanding with the central government in Madrid, but the Spanish government has warned it could suspend autonomy of the wealthy north-eastern region. 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.
Given the chaotic nature of the vote, the turnout and voting figures should be taken with a pinch of salt, says the BBC's Tom Burridge in Barcelona.Given the chaotic nature of the vote, the turnout and voting figures should be taken with a pinch of salt, says the BBC's Tom Burridge in Barcelona.
Mr Rajoy held talks with Pedro Sánchez, leader of Spain's main opposition Socialist party, as well as Albert Rivera, the head of the centrist Ciudadanos party, late on Monday.Mr Rajoy held talks with Pedro Sánchez, leader of Spain's main opposition Socialist party, as well as Albert Rivera, the head of the centrist Ciudadanos party, late on Monday.
While the Socialist leader urged Mr Rajoy to hold talks with the Catalan president immediately, Mr Rivera said Spain should invoke article 155 of the constitution, in effect suspending Catalonia's autonomous powers.While the Socialist leader urged Mr Rajoy to hold talks with the Catalan president immediately, Mr Rivera said Spain should invoke article 155 of the constitution, in effect suspending Catalonia's autonomous powers.