Quim Torra, president of the Generalitat de Catalunya, said Thursday that the region will become independent by the end of 2021, if local political parties agree.
In a speech of challenge to the Spanish state before the regional parliament, the day after a third day of mobilization in Catalonia against the condemnation of the independence leaders for their role in the secessionist attempt of 2017, the independence president demanded that a project for the establishment of a "Catalan Republic" will be drafted by next spring.
"We can not afford to take a step back in the inalienable defense of our right to self-determination, and fear and threats will not win us over," he said.
Earlier, he had called for a new referendum on self-determination, while the mandate of the Regional Parliament expires in December 2021.
According to the latest survey published in July by the regional government, 44% of the population is in favor of independence while 48.3% is against it.
Students on strike
In the street, the Catalan separatists continued Thursday for the fourth day in a row their mobilization. Thursday morning, students were on strike and roads were cut again because of the marches of thousands of separatists left Wednesday in several cities to "paralyze" the region or tires set on the road, according to the Spanish government.
The conviction of nine of its leaders to terms ranging from nine to 13 years in prison for their role in the events of 2017, triggered a wave of protests culminating in a "general strike" and a massive protest on Friday. in Barcelona where must converge the "marches of freedom" parties Wednesday.
With AFP and Reuters