Days after Catalan referendum, cracks appear among separatist leaders over next course of action

Barcelona: Splits have emerged among Catalan separatist leaders over their plans to unilaterally declare independence following a secession referendum deemed illegal by Madrid. Catalonia’s leader Carles Puigdemont has threatened to declare independence “within days”, but the region’s business minister Santi Vila proposed a “ceasefire” in the row with Spain’s central government. In an opinion article published in Catalan daily Ara he urged the pro-secession camp to “reflect on the usefulness and consequences” of a declaration of independence. Puigdemont put off until Tuesday an appearance in the regional Catalan parliament at which time some leaders have called for the declaration to be made. The session of parliament to analyse the results of last Sunday’s referendum was initially scheduled for Monday but Spain’s Constitutional Court ordered that it be suspended. [caption id=“attachment_4118759” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Getty images[/caption] The Catalan government has also not yet officially ratified the results of the vote, a move which would open a two-day period in which the parliament can declare independence. Participants in the referendum opted overwhelmingly for secession, but turnout was only 43 percent as Catalans who favour remaining part of Spain mainly boycotted the ballot. While Vila urged caution, Puigdemont is under strong pressure from the far-left CUP party — whose support his government needs to pass legislation — to move quickly. “The inescapable, inevitable moment of exercising self-determination has arrived,” said CUP lawmaker Carles Riera. Puigdemont’s predecessor Artur Mas also weighed in, telling Britain’s Financial Times that Catalan leaders should focus not on “how to proclaim independence, but instead on how to make it effective.” Analysts said the Catalan government risks losing international sympathy and giving Madrid an excuse for a hardline response if it makes a declaration of independence based on an unconstitutional vote. But if it waits too long to act on the results of the plebiscite it could see the momentum behind the independence movement fizzle. The debate is not just limited to politicians — supporters of the separatist cause are also divided over what strategy to follow. “I have an inner conflict. I do not want a unilateral declaration of independence to happen that will last five minutes,” said Olga Jubany, an anthropology professor in Barcelona. “The strategy (of independence) was never ‘we are going to impose it’. It is not the strategy I would like to follow.”