Catalonian independence leaders came under intense pressure from the Spanish government and unionists on Monday.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont is widely expected to declare independence from Spain in an address to his regional parliament on Tuesday.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy remained adamant that Catalonia would not achieve independence.

Asked in an interview with German daily Welt if there was a risk that Spain would be divided, Rajoy said: "Absolutely not. Spain will not be divided and national unity will be preserved."

"We'll do everything that legislation allows to ensure that."

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His deputy Soraya Saenz de Santamaria earlier told COPE radio station that the Spanish government would be ready to act if separatists declared independence.

"If there is a unilateral declaration of independence there will be decisions made to restore law and democracy," he said.

"I'm calling on the sensible people in the Catalan government ... don't jump off the edge because you'll take the people with you."

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Rich ancient heritage Catalonia has been settled by the Phoenicians, the Etruscans and the Greeks, who were mainly in the coastal areas of Rosas and Empuries (above). Then came the Romans, who built more settlements and infrastructure. Catalonia remained a part of the Roman Empire until it was conquered by the Visigoths in the fifth century.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Counties and independence Catalonia was conquered by Arabs in 711 AD. The Frankish king Charlemagne stopped their advance at Tours on the Loire River and, by 759, the north of Catalonia was once again Christian. In 1137, the counties that made up Catalonia entered an alliance with the Crown of Aragon.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Autonomy and the war of succession In the 13th century, the institutions of Catalan self-administration were created under the banner of the Generalitat de Catalunya. After the unification of the Crown of Aragon with that of Castile in 1476, Aragon was largely able to keep its autonomic institutions. However, the Catalan revolt — from 1640 to 1659 — saw parts of Catalonia ceded to present-day France.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Remembrance of defeat After the conquest of Barcelona on September 11, 1714, by the Bourbon King Phillip V, Catalan instuitutions were dissolved and self-administration came to an end. Every year, on September 11, Catalans commemorate the end of their right to autonomy.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Federal ideas in wider republic After the abdication of King Amadeo I of Spain, the first Spanish Republic was declared in February 1873. It lasted barely a year. The supporters of the Republic were split – one group supporting the idea of a centralized republic, the others wanting a federal system. Pictured here is Francisco Pi i Maragall, a supporter of federalism and one of five presidents of the short-lived republic.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Failed attempt Catalonia sought to establish a new state within the Spanish republic, but this only served to exacerbate the differences between republicans, ultimately dividing and weakening them. In 1874, the monarchy and the House of Bourbon (led by King Alfonso XII, pictured here) took the helm.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Catalan Republic Between 1923 — with the support of the monarchy, the army and the church — General Primo de Rivera declared a dictatorship. Catalonia became a center of opposition and resistance. After the end of the dictatorship, the politician Francesc Macia (pictured here) successfully pressed for important rights of autonomy for Catalonia.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history The end of freedom In the Second Spanish Republic, Catalan lawmakers worked on the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia. This was approved by the Spanish parliament in 1932. Francesc Macia was elected president of the Generalitat of Catalonia by the Catalan parliament. However, the victory of Franco at the end of the Spanish Civil War (1936 to 1939) put an end to all that.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Loss of liberties The Franco regime ruled with an iron rod. Political parties were banned and the Catalan language and culture were surpressed.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history New autonomy by statute After the first parliamentary elections that followed the end of the Franco dictatorship, the Generalitat of Catalonia was provisionally restored. Under the democratic Spanish constitution of 1978, Catalonia was given a new Statute of Autonomy just a year later.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history New and different statute The new Statute of Autonomy recognized the autonomy of Catalonia and the importance of the Catalan language. In comparison to the 1932 statute, it was enhanced in the fields of culture and education but curtailed when it came to the realm of justice. Pictured here is Jordi Pujol, the long-time head of the government of Catalonia after the dictatorship.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Stronger self-awareness A desire for independence has grown stronger in recent years. In 2006, Catalonia was given a new statute that broadened the Catalan government's powers. However, it lost these after a complaint by the conservative Popular Party to the Constitutional Court of Spain.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history First referendum A referendum on independence was already envisaged for November 9, 2014. The first question was "Do you want Catalonia to become a state?" In the case of an affirmative answer, the second question was posed: "Do you want this state to be independent?" However, the Constitutional Court suspended the vote.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Clash of the titans Since January 2016, Carles Puigdemont has been president of the Catalan government. He proceeded with the separatist course of his predecessor Artur Mas and called the new referendum for October 1, 2017. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dismissed this as unconstitutional. Author: Richard Connor



EU response

The European Union has given Catalonia no support in its bid for independence, despite Puigdemont appealing for Brussels to mediate in the crisis.

France, which borders Catalonia, said on Monday there would be no international recognition of an independent Catalonia.

"If there were a declaration of independence it would be unilateral and it wouldn't be recognized," France's Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau said on CNews digital news channel.

"This crisis needs to be resolved through dialogue at all levels of Spanish politics," she urged.

Read more: Spain's Article 155: the constitution's 'nuclear option'

The minister reiterated Brussels' warning that an independent Catalonia would "automatically" be out of the EU and have to reapply to join.

"We are allies and partners with Spain, and Spain is a major democracy, so we are not going to meddle in the internal affairs of Spain."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a phone call with Prime Minister Rajoy, stressed her backing for the Spanish unity, her spokesman said Monday.

Merkel "affirmed her backing for the unity of Spain, and both sides exchanged views on ways in which internal Spanish dialogue can be boosted within the framework of the constitution," said spokesman Steffen Seibert.

Pro-unity protests

At the weekend local police counted 350,000 protesters in Barcelona marching in favor of national unity, carrying banners that read "Catalonia is Spain" and "Together we are stronger." Organisers put turnout at between 930,000 and 950,000.

Catalan leader Puigdemont remained resolute in a TV interview on Sunday, saying the region's referendum law required a declaration of independence if the "yes" vote won the referendum.

"We will apply what the law says," he said, according to a partial transcript released by TV3.

"We have said yes to so many mediation options that have been proposed.

"The days are going by and if the Spanish state does not give a positive response, we will do what we set out to do."

Read more: 'Silent majority' Catalans hold anti-secession rallies in Barcelona

Watch video 01:48 Share Apology from Madrid Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2lPK0 Spain's government apologizes for police violence

Referendum result

Catalan authorities report that 90 percent of voters were in favor of the referendum, but opinion polls suggest it is more closely divided. Just 43 percent of eligible people voted in the referendum amid a heavy crackdown by police.

Former secretary general of the United Nations Kofi Annan said "consultation and not confrontation" was needed.

"I urge the Spanish government and the regional government of Catalonia to renew their commitmnt to a resolution through dialogue."

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Police 'forced' to use violence Security forces used batons and fired rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the crowds. Many were injured. "We were forced to do what we did not wish to do," said Spanish government delegate to Catalonia, Enric Millo. "Puigdemont and his team are solely responsible" for the violence, he added.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Comparing Rajoy to Franco Supporters of an independent Catalonia have long accused the central government of denying the will of the people. At this Barcelona rally ahead of the Sunday vote, one of the protesters holds up a picture of late Spanish dictator Francisco Franco kissing the current Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Face to face Anti-independence protesters also took to the streets of Barcelona to show their support for a united Spain. In this photo from Saturday, one of them is shouting at a member of the Catalan regional police force, called Mosso d'Esquadra.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Stocking up on ballot boxes Ahead of the referendum, activists distributed voting material and paraphernalia despite the government ban. The Catalan authorities in Barcelona said that the vote would be legally binding.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Viva Espana Rajoy's government has rejected the independence referendum as unconstitutional and pledged to shut down voting. Many opponents of Catalan separatism gathered in Madrid on Sunday, chanting "Viva Espana" and "Catalonia is Spain."

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Waiting for daybreak Spanish authorities deployed thousands of extra police to the region. They received orders to prevent voting and seize ballot boxes. Security forces patrolled the polling stations in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Keeping polls open Activists decided to camp out at the polling stations in case police tried to shut the venues down.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Separatist leader manages to vote Reports of violence started coming in early on Sunday. Scuffles broke out near the city of Girona, where Catalan regional leader Carles Puigdemont was due to cast his ballot. The police raided the polling station, forcing Puigdemont to vote at a different location.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Barcelona raid Pro-independence protesters tried to prevent the police from confiscating ballots and ballot boxes. Catalan officials say that, despite Madrid's efforts, 73 percent of about 6,000 polling stations were open on Sunday.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Give them flowers Pro-independence activists were instructed to "practice passive resistance" while attempting to delay the security forces from disrupting the vote. The movement supplied their protesters with red carnations to give to the officers. However, police reported they were also pelted with stones.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures Battling for ballots On Sunday morning, Catalan officials said people could also use ballots they printed at home, and vote at any open polling station if their designated booth was closed.

Catalonia votes on independence - in pictures 'Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state?' While a June poll indicated that a majority of Catalans would be in favor of remaining within Spain, it also showed that independence supporters were far more likely to vote on a referendum. Madrid's crackdown is sure to fan the flames of the independence movement. Author: Darko Janjevic



aw/rt (AFP, Reuters, dpa, AP)