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Catalan referendum: Region's independence 'in matter of days' Catalan referendum: Region's independence 'in matter of days'
(about 2 hours later)
Catalonia will declare independence from Spain in a matter of days, the leader of the autonomous region has told the BBC.Catalonia will declare independence from Spain in a matter of days, the leader of the autonomous region has told the BBC.
In his first interview since a disputed vote on Sunday, Carles Puigdemont said his government would "act at the end of this week or the beginning of next".In his first interview since a disputed vote on Sunday, Carles Puigdemont said his government would "act at the end of this week or the beginning of next".
Meanwhile, Spain's King Felipe VI said the vote's organisers had put themselves "outside the law".Meanwhile, Spain's King Felipe VI said the vote's organisers had put themselves "outside the law".
He said the situation in Spain was "extremely serious", calling for unity.He said the situation in Spain was "extremely serious", calling for unity.
Tensions between Spain and the north-eastern Catalonia region continue to mount. Tensions between Spain and the north-eastern Catalonia region continue to mount, days after the vote was marred by violence involving national police.
The Spanish High Court said it had begun an investigation into key Catalan figures on Wednesday on suspicion of sedition - inciting rebellion against the state - including the head of Catalonia's regional police.The Spanish High Court said it had begun an investigation into key Catalan figures on Wednesday on suspicion of sedition - inciting rebellion against the state - including the head of Catalonia's regional police.
Josep Lluis Trapero, who leads the Mossos d'Esquadra force, is suspected of failing to control a demonstration during a police raid on Catalan government offices before the vote.Josep Lluis Trapero, who leads the Mossos d'Esquadra force, is suspected of failing to control a demonstration during a police raid on Catalan government offices before the vote.
Hundreds of thousands of people across Catalonia have been protesting over Spanish police violence during the vote, during which nearly 900 people were hurt. More on Catalan crisis
The police were trying to enforce a Spanish court order suspending the vote, which the government had declared illegal. What did Catalan leader say?
During the vote, 33 police officers were also injured, local medical officials said. In his BBC interview, Carles Puigdemont said his government would "act at the end of this week or the beginning of next".
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". He also revealed there was currently no contact between the government in Madrid and his devolved administration.
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".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. Under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, the government in Madrid is permitted to impose direct rule on an autonomous regions.
He disagreed with the European Commission's statement on Monday that events in Catalonia were an internal issue for Spain. What happens now?
The European parliament is due to debate the situation later on Wednesday. Groups in the Catalan parliament have agreed that parliament should meet in full assembly on Monday. Mr Puigdemont could use that occasion to make a unilateral declaration of independence.
Background to this story He was due to make a statement at 21:00 (19:00GMT) on Wednesday.
In his televised address to the nation, King Felipe said the Catalan leaders who organised the referendum showed their "disrespect to the powers of the state". The Spanish government has vowed to resist any declaration of independence, with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy saying the vote made a "mockery" of democracy.
"They have broken the democratic principles of the rule of law. Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau has called on both sides to talk. "Neither a declaration of independence nor article 155. More than ever we need dialogue and bridges," she tweeted.
"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. The European parliament was due to debate the crisis on Wednesday afternoon.
But he stressed that Spain "will overcome difficult times". Many Catalans have been angered by the European Commission's statement on Monday that events in Catalonia were an internal issue for Spain.
The central government has described the referendum as illegal. Why is king's intervention significant?
What the king didn't say In his televised address, King Felipe said the Catalan leaders who organised the referendum showed their "disrespect to the powers of the state".
Patrick Jackson, BBC News, Barcelona "They have broken the democratic principles of the rule of law," he said.
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. But many Catalans were more concerned about what the king did not say, reports the BBC's Patrick Jackson, who watched the address in a bar in Barcelona city centre.
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. "There were no words about the 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," he says.
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, said one customer in the bar.
It was a missed opportunity to push the two sides towards dialogue, one customer told me afterwards. What happened during Sunday's vote?
"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." Nearly 900 people were hurt as police violently tried to enforce a Spanish court order suspending the vote, which the government had declared illegal.
Huge protest rallies have been taking place across Catalonia as well as a general strike.
In Barcelona, 700,000 people took to the streets on Tuesday, city police were quoted as saying.
Roadblocks caused big traffic jams while the metro system was also badly hit.
Barcelona's port was at a standstill, trade union sources said, and top tourist attractions were closed. All FC Barcelona teams also suspended training.
However, the city's El Prat airport and its taxis were operating normally.
The strike was called in protest at "the grave violation of rights and freedoms" seen during the 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. Thirty-three police officers were also injured, local medical officials said.
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." Shocked by what they had seen, hundreds of thousands of Catalans joined street protests on Tuesday. A general strike was also called in protest at "the grave violation of rights and freedoms" seen during the ballot.
He also warned that the central government would take "all measures necessary to stop acts of harassment". What about the ballot results?
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 and there are several reports of inaccuracies. More than 2.2 million people voted on Sunday, according to the Catalan government. Officials put the vote in support of independence at nearly 90%, but official results have not yet been released.
There are several reports of gaping irregularities, partly attributed to a system which permitted voters to cast their ballots anywhere in a bid to get around the police measures to stop the vote. Spanish media carried reports of some Catalan areas counting far more votes than residents.
Catalan officials said the turnout was 42%, potentially weakening the position of Mr Puigdemont.Catalan officials said the turnout was 42%, potentially weakening the position of Mr Puigdemont.
Are you in the region? Have you taken part in any protests? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in the region? Have you taken part in any protests? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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