Catala president Carles Puigdemont (C), vice president Oriol Junqueras (L) and president of the Parliament Carme Forcadell (R) sing the Catalan anthem "Els Segadors" after a session of the Catalan parliament in Barcelona on October 27, 2017. AFP / Josep L
Barcelona: Fresh from a parliamentary session on Friday that declared independence from Spain, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont urged supporters to "maintain the momentum" in a peaceful manner, as Madrid was poised to impose direct rule on the region.
"You will have to maintain the momentum of this country in the coming hours, particularly where peace, civic responsibility and dignity are concerned," he told lawmakers and onlookers in Barcelona.
