Catalonia: Spanish gov't rejects 'tacit' independence declaration

MADRID - 11 October 2017: The Spanish government has described Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont’s parliamentary statement in which he suspended a declaration of independence from Spain, as “blackmail broadcast live to the state” and said it rejects the “tacit” independence declaration.

In his address the Catalan leader maintained the legality of the October 1 referendum, and said Catalans had “won their right to become an independent country” but said he will first seek to open a dialogue with Madrid, The Guardian reported.