Addressing the Catalan parliament, pro-independence regional chief Quim Torra criticized the rioting, saying the separatist cause was a peaceful movement. The Constitutional Court warned Catalan officials on Wednesday of legal consequences if they broke the law by pursuing independence. Spain’s main parties have consistently rejected calls for an independence referendum in Catalonia, although the ruling Socialists say they are open to dialogue on other issues. In his address to parliament, Torra trod a careful line, acknowledging that he can only move if other parties backed his calls for a renewed secessionist drive. The Catalan question has dominated domestic politics in recent years and was instrumental in triggering national parliamentary elections in April.

Source: bd News24 October 17, 2019 16:07 UTC