17:07, 10-Oct-2017
Catalonia Crisis: Regional government meets ahead of Puigdemont address
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Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont presided over a cabinet meeting on Tuesday at the regional government headquarters in Barcelona. The session comes ahead of Puigdemont's address to regional lawmakers in a speech his supporters hope will be a unilateral declaration of independence.
Pressure has mounted on Puigdemont in recent days, with France and Germany expressing their support for Spain's unity. Barcelona mayor Ada Colau also weighed in, saying such a move would put social cohesion at risk. Madrid said it would respond immediately if the Catalan leader declares independence. Police have secured the regional parliament, fencing it off from the public.