Catalonia’s future becomes more uncertain by the hour after thousands on Sunday filled the streets of the region’s capital Barcelona to protest against independence from Spain.<br /><br />After months of looking as if separatist forces were dominating the public debate… the so-called “silent majority” of Catalans have found their voices.<br /><br />Huge pro-Spain, anti-independence, march in Barcelona now. People shouting love for Spain AND Catalonia. Lots of and Catalan flags. pic.twitter.com/y8ktK82hpK— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) October 8, 2017<br /><br />The final results from the referendum in the wealthy north-eastern region suggested 90% of the 2.3 million people who voted backed independence. Turnout was 43%.<br /><br />There have been several claims of irregularities, and many ballot boxes were seized by Spanish police.<br /><br />Nearly 900 people were injured as the police, trying to enforce a Spanish court ban on the vote, attempted to disperse voters.<br /><br />Thirty-three police officers were also hurt.<br /><br />The political stand-off between unionists and separatists has already had economic repercussions with banks and companies moving their headquarters outside Catalonia. A major real estate firm is the latest to hold an emergency board meeting over the situation.<br /><br />Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is standing firm refusing to say if he will trigger Article 155 of the constitution – the so-called “nuclear option” which allows him to sack the regional government. <br /><br />Which means Spain awaits Tuesday’s crucial address by Catalan’s separatist leader Carles Puigdemont to the Catalan parliament amid speculation he could ask the assembly to declare independence.<br />
