Spain: Protest outside Catalonian parliament in Barcelona Jan. 30

Event

Catalonian lawmakers announced on Tuesday, January 30, that they have postponed the election of a new regional president until further notice. The decision was made in response to Spain’s Supreme Court declaring that former president Carles Puigdemont is ineligible to hold office; Puigdemont currently remains in self-imposed exile in Brussels (Belgium). Catalonia’s parliament reportedly does not intend to propose an alternative candidate. At least 1200 pro-independence protesters gathered outside parliament in Barcelona on Tuesday in support of Puigdemont’s presidency at around 15:20 (local time). An increased security presence is reported around parliament and Ciutadella Park. As of 19:00, the demonstration is still ongoing.

Further demonstrations by both pro- and anti-independence groups are likely to occur in coming weeks, particularly in Barcelona, in the event that Puigdemont does return to the country.

Context

Spain was thrown into a constitutional and political crisis after Catalonia held an independence referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish government and marred with violence, on October 1, 2017. Despite a series of logistical and judicial obstacles enacted by the central government to prevent the vote, 42 percent of the Catalan population participated in the referendum, 90 percent of whom voted in favor of independence. Madrid officially suspended the region's autonomy on October 27 - just moments after the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence - and implemented direct central rule. The central government also fired the Catalan government and dissolved the parliament.

Advice

Individuals in Catalonia are advised to keep abreast of developments to the situation and to avoid any protests as a precaution.