Catalan president calls joint security meeting with Spanish officials in preparation for Oct 1 vote

Catalan president Carles Puigdemont called a joint security meeting with Spanish officials on Thursday, three days before the planned referendum on independence to be held on October 1. The goal of the meeting — which will be attended by law enforcement agencies of Spain and Catalonia — is to address the police operation. The police operation was ordered by Spain’s Attorney General to prevent polling stations from opening on Sunday.

Political leaders are set to meet during a moment of unprecedented political confrontation between Catalan and Spanish governments. Despite suspension of the referendum by the Spanish Constitutional Court, Puigdemont and his cabinet have promised to carry out the vote. In turn, Spanish institutions are doing everything in their hands to halt their efforts and to stop a referendum they see as illegal.