In a warning to Spain, the president of Catalonia called for the creation of a separate army, should the Spanish region vote for independence in the upcoming controversial referendum.
Carles Puigdemont, 54, said that the creation of an independent military force was “absolutely indispensable” for any future independent Catalonia.
Mr Puigdemont said during a broadcast on Facebook Live that “armies, defence policies, are absolutely indispensable for global combat”.
It comes come in the wake of the terrorist attack in both the Catalan capital, Barcelona, and Cambrils which killed 16 people and injured 120 others.
He said: “We need to have a modern, democratic defence policy, comparable to those of allied nations.”
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The Catalan government recently issued its Transitional Jurisprudence Bill to the regional parliament which sets out the roadmap to a future independent Catalonia, should the public vote yes in October’s referendum.
While there is no mention of the creation of an independent army in the proposed bill, it does mention the need to expel the Spanish army from the country.
The bill would only come into effect if there is a majority of votes in favour of independence.
A vote on the bill has been set for September and would look to be passed as the “Coalition for Yes” (Junts pel Si) easily dominate the parliament.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has condemned the referendum and the country’s Constitutional Court has ruled it is illegal with those organising the vote facing the possibility of dismissal and other legal repercussions.
Under the bill, Catalonia would become a republic and remove King Felipe as the head of state.
Within six months from the date of the referendum, Catalonia will have to go to the polls to vote for a constituent assembly.
The resulting constitution would need the support of 60 per cent of lawmakers, but could still be passed with an absolute majority.
Mr Puigemont said that he would leave his position at the latest at the time of the constituent elections and ruled himself out of running as head.
He restated his position during the broadcast: “I will not be president for this step.”
Should ‘no’ win the referendum he said he would step down and call an election “between 40 and 60 days” after the vote.