Catalonia Will Declare Independence in the Coming Days

Carlos Puigdemont, the head of the Catalan regional government, stated on Tuesday, October 3rd, that the region will declare independence in the coming days. In an interview with the BBC, he mentioned that his government would take necessary actions by the end of this week or early next week. Last Sunday, a referendum on independence was held in Catalonia, centered in Barcelona, but the central government of Spain attempted to prevent it. Local officials claim that nearly 90% of participants in the referendum voted in favor of independence. In response to a question about the Spanish government's intervention and the possibility of the central government taking control of Catalonia, Puigdemont said such an action would be a mistake that would change everything. Meanwhile, King Felipe VI of Spain accused the leaders of Catalonia on Tuesday of undermining democratic principles and causing division among the people of Catalonia. In a live television program, he accused the Catalan leaders of disloyalty to the Spanish government. The central government of Spain states that the referendum is unconstitutional, a law that was passed in 1987 following the death of Franco, the last dictator of the country. On Tuesday, hundreds of thousands protested against police 'violence' during the independence referendum in Barcelona. According to AFP, about 300,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Barcelona demanding the 'withdrawal of occupying forces' and declared that 'the streets always belong to us.' Following calls from labor unions and groups supporting Catalan independence, metro stations in Barcelona were closed, and workers went on strike. Local officials in Catalonia say that over 70% of workers responded positively to the strike call. Previously, universities in Barcelona, the contemporary art museum of the city, and even FC Barcelona announced their participation in the general strike. The purpose of this general strike was to condemn the violence of the Spanish police on the day of the independence referendum. In this context, the strike in Catalonia; 300,000 people marched against police violence in Barcelona. Catalan leaders: We are not seeking a bitter separation from Madrid. Madrid threatens to 'suspend' the activities of the Catalan regional government. The local government of Catalonia claims that '90%' voted for independence. Catalonia will take the case of police treatment of protesters to international courts. Catalan officials reported dozens of injuries following the clashes on Sunday.