Carlos Rivadulla, who is opposed to Catalonia independence, said once “propaganda” had disappeared the issue might disappear.
Speaking on BBC News, presenter Katty Kay said the independence sentiment was “not going away”.
She said: “Whatever happens now, with independence or not, there will still be a big chunk of people in Catalonia who want independence.”
But Mr Rivadulla said the country needed to “step back” and consider its future.
He said: “Yes of course and I respect any political option, but of course, again, I’m in favour of union and fraternity.
“I think, with time, with understanding and the propaganda, the fake news as I mentioned. We’ve seen this populism, nationalism before in Europe.
“This is actually what’s happening here.
“Once we stop the noise and fake news and post-truth step back, I think we will have a better picture of what’s going on in Catalonia and the rest of Spain and we can really think about how we will reach this point.”
Catalonia vice-president Oriol Junqueras has given the biggest indication yet that Catalonia is poised to formally declare independence in defiance of Spain who is set to impose strict control of the north east region by invoking Article 155 of the Spanish constitution.
The left-wing (Esquerra) politician, 48, told the Associated Press the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had left Catalonia “no other option” but to proclaim a new republic.
Mr Junqueras said he was speaking as leader of his party, Republican Catalan Left, not as a member of the regional government.
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