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Catalan leader addresses regional parliament for first time since referendum (WATCH LIVE) Catalonia must be independent state, referendum showed a clear ‘yes’ – Puigdemont
(35 minutes later)
The leader of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont is making a much-anticipated address to his parliament. It is his first speech since the controversial October 1 referendum on the region's independence from Spain. Catalonia won the right to be an independent state during its recent referendum on the issue, as there was a clear “yes” vote, the Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont announced.
"It's not a personal decision," but the result of the vote on "self-determination," to which the people of the region have said "yes," Puigdemont added.
The leader of Catalonia was making a much-anticipated address to his parliament. It is his first speech since the controversial October 1 referendum on the region's independence from Spain.
"This is a special and historic moment having a long outreach," the Catalan leader said, arguing that the current situation in the EU state is "not only a domestic affair."
Spanish authorities attempted to disrupt the process, with the police taking away voting documents and hindering many people's chance to vote in the referendum.
The Catalan officials "want to de-escalate the tensions" with Madrid and the Spanish people, Puigdemont said, adding that his parliament "will apply the forces of dialogue and empathy."
Catalonia has always strived for "transition and development," having for many years asked for separation from the central government. Instead, it has received "political humiliation" from Madrid, the Catalan leader said.
During his speech, Puigdemont also referred to the Brexit referendum on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. "If that is possible in Europe, why can't the same standards be applied in regard to Catalonia and Spain?" he said.