Catalonian independence: Opponents of secession have called for demonstrations around Spain

Spain is bracing for more protests on Saturday despite tentative signs that rival sides may be seeking to defuse the crisis after Madrid offered a first apology to Catalans injured by police during their outlawed secession vote.


Catalan leaders had threatened to declare secession unilaterally and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed to stop them, rejecting calls for mediation in a dispute that has drawn cries of concern even from Barcelona and Real Madrid footballers.

• Spanish media reported that pro-secession parties in Catalonia's parliament were working on a declaration of independence for Tuesday.

Spain's deepest political crisis in decades has raised fears of further unrest in the northeastern region, a tourist-friendly area of 7.5 million people that accounts for a fifth of Spain's economy.

Opponents of secession have called for demonstrations around Spain and a major rally in Barcelona on Saturday.

Also Saturday, people who support dialogue to end the crisis plan to gather in a bid to pressure mayors nationwide.

The anonymous initiative, which spread across social media, seeks to promote talks using the slogan: "Spain is better than its leaders."
 [aljazeera.com]
 7/10/17
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• Le président catalan repousse à mardi son intervention devant le parlement
• Spain's top court suspends Catalan parliament fearing secessionist move
• Catalan Leader Says Not Afraid of Arrest over Independence
• Puigdemont ataca al Rey y pide "mediación" sin ceder "ni un milímetro" en su hoja de ruta
• El rey Felipe VI acusa al Gobierno catalán de intentar "quebrar la unidad de España"