Pro-independence supporters shout slogans in front of the Popular Party headquarters as a “esteleda” or pro-independence flag is held up, in support of the Catalonia’s secession, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Photo by ALVARO BARRIENTOS / AP)
BARCELONA, Spain — A member of Catalonia’s separatist-led government has called for a “cease-fire” with Spain to decrease tensions after a disputed referendum on independence by the prosperous region that has ignited a national crisis. Thousands of anti-independence protesters waving Spanish flags, meanwhile, are gathering in Madrid for a rally on Saturday.
Santi Vila, Catalonia’s regional chief for business, told Cadena SER Radio late Friday that he’s pushing for “a new opportunity for dialogue” with Spanish authorities.
“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 cease-fire,” 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.”
The calls for prudence from within Catalonia’s separatist camp come after some of its most important banks and businesses announced they were relocating their headquarters to ensure that the possible secession of the region wouldn’t immediately knock them out of the European Union and its lucrative common market.
Thousands of Spaniards are rallying against Catalonia’s independence push in central Madrid in Plaza de Colon, turning the square into a sea of Spanish flags. Some jumped into a fountain and danced.
Vila said he is against Catalonia unilaterally declaring independence at this moment and wants to see a committee of experts from both sides be created to work toward a solution to the political crisis.
From the central government in Madrid, Vila said he would like to see Spanish authorities return powers to the region which they had assumed in recent weeks, including control of a large part of its finances.
It is unclear how widespread Vila’s moderate position is inside the Catalan government, which is being pressured from separatist grassroots groups and the far-left party CUP to declare independence soon.
Separatists said they won the Oct. 1 referendum by a landslide, but Spain said the vote was illegal, invalid and unconstitutional. Less than half of the electorate cast ballots in the referendum, which was marred by a brutal police crackdown.
The most recent regional elections and polls taken before the referendum showed that the region’s 7.5 million residents were roughly split on the divisive issue.
Catalonia’s top two banks, Caixbank and Banco Sabadell, as well as energy giant Gas Natural, hurriedly transferred their headquarters to other parts of Spain this week. Other leading Catalan companies have said they are considering similar moves.
Separatist lawmakers had planned to discuss a secession plan on Monday, but that session in the regional parliament was suspended by the Constitutional Court.
The focus has now shifted to Tuesday, when Catalan president Carles Puigdemont is set to address the regional parliament “to report on the current political situation” in Catalonia.