(CNN) Catalonia's leader has launched a strongly worded attack on the King of Spain for failing to heal the country's divisions after a bitterly contested independence referendum. The Spanish government on Wednesday said it "strongly rejects the accusations" Puigdemont directed at the King. JUST WATCHED Tensions high after Catalonia referendum vote Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Tensions high after Catalonia referendum vote 02:30Puigdemont's remarks came as the Catalans' standoff with Madrid deepened Wednesday. It will be Puigdemont's first opportunity to make a formal declaration of independence under the Catalan referendum law that was ruled illegal by Spain's top court. JUST WATCHED A look inside Catalonia's referendum vote Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH A look inside Catalonia's referendum vote 02:43The developments have also alarmed the European Union, which has so far supported Madrid.

Source: CNN October 04, 2017 19:23 UTC