In Spain, Confusion And Uncertainty About Catalonia's Future
Did he or didn't he declare independence? That is the question in Spain.
The answer has huge implications for what the Spanish government does next, and how the country's relatively young democracy — indeed, possibly even the whole European Union — might stay intact.
The "he" in question is Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who delivered an ambiguous speech Tuesday to his regional parliament in Barcelona in which he appeared to declare independence from Spain — and then abruptly took it back. He also signed a document afterward which read, in part: "We constitute a Catalan republic, as an independent and sovereign state..."
Some separatists cheered and claimed victory. Others said Puigdemont's words fell short.
Many were simply confused.
"He's trying to buy some time," says a constitutional law expert who teaches the University of Barcelona and other institutions in Catalonia. "His party is
