For its part, the Catalan parliament, where pro-secession parties hold sway, will meet in Barcelona where a proposal to vote on splitting from Spain could work its way onto the floor. On Thursday, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont opted not to call elections for a new regional parliament—thought to be the only way to stave off Madrid’s imminent power grab. Based on the vote, Puigdemont moved towards an independence declaration, but suspended it pending negotiations. Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria insisted the government was “fulfilling a legal obligation, a democratic obligation and a political obligation,” by its actions. Catalans are fiercely protective of their language, culture and autonomy — restored after the 1939-75 dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

Source: Manila Times October 27, 2017 03:22 UTC