Far-right leader takes part in rally in Barcelona for Spanish unity

1,500 people turned out in Barcelona on Friday showing support for Spain's unity on Constitution Day.

The leader of the Spanish far-right party Vox, Santiago Abascal, went to the demonstration in Barcelona and decided not to attend institutional events in the Spanish Congress, in Madrid.

Abascal said it was his duty to march in Barcelona, where he said "separatists" made a "coup" against Spain.

"Vox will be a wall against those that want to break up Spain," he added, criticizing Spain's president Pedro Sánchez for negotiating with "separatists" to form a new government.

"I'd rather be here than in Madrid, where there are people willing to reach agreements with coup leaders," he added, referring to the Spanish Socialists.

On December 6 2019, Spain's celebrates the 41st anniversary of its Constitution.

Members of Spain's conservatives from the People's Party also took part in the demonstration in Barcelona.

Although they were also expected to attend, unionists Cs cancelled their participation at the last minute as one of the banners in the rally was asking for the derogation of the violence against women Law.

"We think today should be a day of celebration of the values of our Spanish Constitution, and there shouldn't be room for those that question one of the worst problems in our society," Cs said.