The regional president of Catalonia, which borders France, called for the immediate withdrawal of Spanish forces, and for European intervention. Some Catalans resent having their taxes subsidize poorer parts of Spain, and have long lobbied for more fiscal autonomy from Madrid. The need for mediation is evident.”Puigdemont said the Catalan parliament planned within days to formally declare independence from Spain, but he urged Rajoy to discuss matters before that happens. Spain’s interior minister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, told Catalan TV that national police would remain in Catalonia as long as needed. On Sunday, 90.9% of votes cast in the banned referendum were in favor of Catalan independence, and 7.87% were against, according to Puigdemont’s regional administration.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 02, 2017 23:15 UTC