Calls for all parties to join summit unsuccessful

On Friday there's a meeting set to gather all Catalan parties, both pro-independence and unionists, to lower tensions and engage a dialogue. The initiative was promoted by the Catalan president, Quim Torra, and the Socialists –ruling Spain– have been quite enthusiastic about it. But not all parties feel the same: seven won't attend.

Ciutadans, the main party not taking part in the summit, argues such debate should take place in Parliament, instead. And that’s why its leader suggested a monographic plenary session on the country’s future.

Ciutadans head Inés Arrimadas also called for the Catalan president Quim Torra to demand the end of supposed "violence" from pro-independence groups, which promote direct actions. Yesterday, some activists painted in yellow a house of the judge in charge of the pro-independence case in Barcelona outskirts. 

Ciutadans filed a lawsuit for hate speech against the activists on Thursday. Meanwhile, the main pro-independence parties condemned the events but made clear that they are an exception for a peaceful political movement.

The Spanish home affairs minister has also claimed that the events are one-off and so, he called for politicians not to create alarmism.