Mediterranean Games: Torra’s attendance ‘on hold’ due to presence of Spain’s king

Catalan president Quim Torra has not decided yet whether he will attend the opening ceremony of the Mediterranean Games in Tarragona on Friday, which will have the Spanish president Pedro Sánchez and king Felipe VI among its guests.

In a press conference on Tuesday, the Catalan government spokesperson Elsa Artadi asked the monarch for a “gesture” that shows he has backed down from his controversial speech on October 3. Two days after a referendum on independence deemed illegal by Spain, the king accused pro-independence politicians of “fracturing” society and made no reference to victims of police violence.

While Artadi said Torra’s presence at the games would not depend on whether Felipe acquiesces the demand, she said it would “help.” The government spokesperson criticized the king for “taking sides,” and urged him to “publicly” make clear he has retracted his position.