Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is meeting with the separatist leader of Catalonia in a bid to improve the strained relations between the central government and Spain’s restive northeast.
No major breakthrough is expected from Thursday's meeting with both sides starting from distant positions on the divisive issue of Catalonia's independence from the rest of Spain.
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is meeting with the separatist leader of Catalonia in a bid to improve the strained relations between the central government and Spain’s restive northeast.
Sánchez’s government has said that a referendum was out of the question since it would violate the Spanish Constitution. Sánchez will try to steer the talk to social issues, financing for Spain’s regions and the impact of recent storms in eastern Spain.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, left, shakes hands with Catalan regional President Quim Torra at the Palace of the Generalitat, the headquarter of the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, left, and Catalan regional President Quim Torra meet at the Palace of the Generalitat, the headquarter of the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, center and left, talks with Catalan regional President Quim Torra, center and right, at the Palace of the Generalitat, the headquarter of the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)
Catalan regional president Quim Torra had said before the meeting at the Catalan government seat in downtown Barcelona that he would insist on Sánchez allowing a legal referendum on secession for the wealthy region.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, left, talks with Catalan regional President Quim Torra at the Palace of the Generalitat, the headquarter of the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)
Sánchez’s government has said that a referendum was out of the question since it would violate the Spanish Constitution. Sánchez will try to steer the talk to social issues, financing for Spain’s regions and the impact of recent storms in eastern Spain.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, left, talks with Catalan regional President Quim Torra at the Palace of the Generalitat, the headquarter of the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, left, shakes hands with Catalan regional President Quim Torra at the Palace of the Generalitat, the headquarter of the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, left, and Catalan regional President Quim Torra meet at the Palace of the Generalitat, the headquarter of the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, center and left, talks with Catalan regional President Quim Torra, center and right, at the Palace of the Generalitat, the headquarter of the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)