Agreement on observer for Catalonia-Spain talks angers opposition
Ciutadans and People's Party call demonstration in Madrid to reject deal
Catalan and Spanish governments' agreement on having an observer present in the talks between parties over the independence crisis has been heavily criticized by some opposition parties, who have targeted the Spanish executive in particular.
Catalonia's main unionist party, Ciutadans (Cs), the largest party in Spain, People's Party (PP), and far-right Vox called a rally to reject the deal, to be held in Madrid on Sunday.
In an attempt to cool off tensions, Spanish vice president Carmen Calvo called an emergency press conference on Wednesday to stress that the observer would not attend meetings between governments, but only those between Catalan parties.
Cs called the move a "humiliation" and a "disgrace" for Spain.
"We don't accept that those who have carried out a coup should set conditions on those who respect the rule of law," said the party head, Albert Rivera.
His party asked on Wednesday for Spain's president to appear before Congress to give an explanation, because he has "sold the national sovereignty."
For Ciutadans' leader in Catalonia, Inés Arrimadas, Madrid accepting an observer shows the "desperation" of president Pedro Sánchez to remain in power.
Observer proposal by Catalan government
On Tuesday, the Catalan executive proposed naming a "neutral" person to oversee the talks in exchange for considering support of Spain's 2019 budget.
The votes of the ruling pro-independence parties are necessary for the spending plan to pass in Madrid.