Thousands of pro-unity demonstrators have taken to the streets of Madrid in the wake of an outlawed independence referendum in the region of Catalonia.
Huge numbers of people are already in the Plaza de Colón in the capital, waving flags and displaying posters against independence.
Meanwhile a separate demonstration has begun in Barcelona, where protesters are calling for dialogue and unity during the crisis.
The rally comes six days after Catalonia held a referendum on secession that Spain’s government warned was illegal and the country’s top court had suspended.
Thousands of pro-unity demonstrators have taken to the streets of Madrid in the wake of an outlawed independence referendum in the region of Catalonia
Huge numbers of people are already in the Plaza de Colón in the capital, waving flags and displaying posters against independence
A youth walks under a giant Spanish flag in Madrid as thousands of pro-Spanish unity supporters donning Spanish flags have rallied in a central Madrid plaza to protest the Catalan regional government’s drive to separate from Spain
The rally comes six days after Catalonia held a referendum on secession that Spain’s government warned was illegal and the country’s top court had suspended
Spain is braced for a day of protests despite tentative signs that the sides may be seeking to defuse the crisis after Madrid offered a first apology to Catalans injured by police during their outlawed independence vote.
Catalan leaders had threatened to declare independence 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.
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.
The country is braced for a day of protests despite tentative signs that the sides may be seeking to defuse the crisis after Madrid offered a first apology to Catalans injured by police during their outlawed independence vote
Catalan leaders had threatened to declare independence 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
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 today, 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’.
‘It’s the moment to come together to tell [our leaders] that they are incapable and irresponsible,’ the group’s manifesto reads.
Yesterday saw the first signs the sides may be willing to step back from the brink in a political conflict that risks destabilising Europe.
After days of ill-tempered rhetoric, the central government said it regretted the injuries and suggested Catalonia should hold a regional election to settle the crisis.
Catalan government minister Santi Vila, a close of ally of regional president Carles Puigdemont, meanwhile told broadcaster Rac1 that his side could consider a ‘ceasefire’ in the dispute, to avoid a further crackdown by Madrid.
He said that he’s pushing for ‘a new opportunity for dialogue’ with Spanish authorities.
A separate demonstration has begun in Barcelona, where protesters are calling for dialogue and unity during the crisis. Pictured: A man holds up a sign saying ‘Let’s talk’
Also today, people who support dialogue to end the crisis are gathering 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’
A Catalan flag hangs from a balcony as a man watches a demonstration in a square in Barcelona
After days of ill-tempered rhetoric, the central government said it regretted the injuries and suggested Catalonia should hold a regional election to settle the crisis
Catalan government minister Santi Vila, a close of ally of regional president Carles Puigdemont, meanwhile told broadcaster Rac1 that his side could consider a ‘ceasefire’ in the dispute, to avoid a further crackdown by Madrid
Businesses and the government kept up economic pressure on Catalonia however, with several big companies announcing moves to shift their legal domiciles to other parts of Spain
‘We have to give it one more chance, maybe the last chance, and perhaps the only way that can happen is to start with a ceasefire,’ Vila said.
‘We can all calm down and give ourselves the opportunity to not take any decisions and see what channels we can open up to start a serene dialogue.’
Businesses and the government kept up economic pressure on Catalonia however, with several big companies announcing moves to shift their legal domiciles to other parts of Spain.