Carles Puigdemont signs independence declaration
Carles Puigdemont signs independence declarationReuters

Catalan lawmakers on Tuesday evening signed a document declaring independence from Spain, but delayed its implementation.

Regional president Carles Puigdemont was the first to sign the Declaration of the Representatives of Catalonia document, followed by dozens of other lawmakers who signed it in the regional parliament in Barcelona, reported The Press Association.

The signing ceremony came hours after Puigdemont addressed the parliament, saying Catalans had earned the right to independence from Spain after the referendum on October 1.

At the same time, he called for dialogue with Spain’s government, which has condemned the referendum as illegal and unconstitutional.

The central government in Spain responded by saying it did not accept the declaration of independence by the separatists and did not consider the October 1 referendum or its results to be valid.

The Catalan government said 90% of voters who participated in the referendum voted in favor of independence.

The Spanish government attempted to prevent the vote from taking place. Nearly 500 people were wounded in clashes with police on the day of the vote.