In his first address after the historic referendum in Catalonia that saw over 90 percent of voters backing region’s independence from Spain, Puigdemont said that millions of Catalans believe that the region should become a sovereign state.
"I want to follow the people’s will for Catalonia to become an independent state," Puigdemont said.
However, he said it was important to reduce tensions surrounding the vote and proposed to suspend the effect of the independence declaration to continue talks with Madrid.
Speaking for approximately 20 minutes, the Catalan leader condemned the violence that was observed at the referendum as well as the actions of Spanish law enforcement.
Puigdemont also said international mediation is needed to resolve the mounting high tensions between Madrid and Barcelona.
As the Catalan leader was delivering his speech that was postponed by an hour, media reports emerged that Spanish authorities were boosting security across the country.
More than 90 percent of Catalans voted for sovereignty at a referendum which the Spanish government declared illegitimate. Spain's King Felipe Vi described the vote as an attempt to "break the unity of Spain and national sovereignty, which is the right of all the Spanish people to decide democratically." The European Commission referred to the matter as an internal issue between Madrid and Barcelona.
