Catalan independence referendum News

Carles Puigdemont, president of Junts, and Oriol Junqueras, president of ERC, have met in Waterloo, Belgium, for the first time since regaining leadership of their respective parties. The 2.5-hour meeting, attended by their secretaries general, Jordi Turull of Junts and Elisenda Alamany of ERC, resulted in an agreement to initiate a 'thawing' period in their relationship. They aim to establish 'coordinated work spaces' to discuss shared objectives and to enhance the Catalan independence movement. This meeting comes amid ongoing budget negotiations in both Madrid and Catalonia, where support from the pro-independence parties is crucial. Additionally, the meeting coincides with a delay in the processing of a motion of confidence proposed by Junts against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. After the meeting, both leaders left in a car with a license plate reading '1-O-2017', referencing the date of the 2017 Catalan independence referendum.