Story highlights
- Catalan president expected to address parliament Tuesday
- Supporters want him to declare independence but unclear if he will
Carles Puigdemont, the President of Catalonia, was due to address a specially convened session of the region's parliament. But the session, due to begin at 12 p.m. ET (6p.m. local time) was delayed amid reports of international mediation to end the crisis.
Puigdemont requested the delay "given the contacts for an international mediation," his spokesman Joan Maria Pique told CNN. He did not immediately provide additional details on the mediation.
The anti-independence Ciutadans party and the Catalan branch of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party (PPC) had also requested a suspension of Tuesday' rsession, according to a document seen by CNN.
Puigdemont was under intense pressure to back down from plans to declare independence from Spain following a disputed referendum.
The Parc de la Ciutadella, which houses the Catalan parliament building, was sealed off to the public for safety reasons, with the Catalan police Mossos guarding the entrances and exits.
National police and the Guardia Civil kept a low profile, according to CNN reporters.
European Council President Donald Tusk urged Puigdemont to back down. "The force of arguments is always better than the argument of force," he said in Brussels.
"Today I ask you to respect in your attentions the constitutional order and not announce a decision that would make such a dialogue impossible," he said. "Diversity should not lead to conflict whose consequences would be bad for Catalonia, Spain and the whole of Europe."
Colau said Spain was experiencing its "worst institutional crisis since democracy began" and said Spain's political elected representatives should "find a solution that is inclusive and up to standards we have been living."
Neighboring France said Monday it would not recognize an independent Catalonia -- and independence would result in automatic expulsion from the European Union.
Political uncertainty
However thousands of supporters of independence are expected to show up at the parliament in Barcelona to show support for the plan, and to call on Puigdemont to honor his commitments to the separatist movement.
The political uncertainty began with a divisive and controversial referendum on October 1 that found a majority of Catalan voters in favor of independence for the wealthy, northeastern region of Spain.
Madrid declared the referendum illegal and Spanish police tried to shut the vote down by firing rubber bullets and pulling voters from polling booths in scenes that shocked many across...
Read More: Catalans on edge as Puigdemont prepares to address parliament