President Aragonès will ask Spanish PM to show courage over referendum  

President Pere Aragonès will use Tuesday's general policy debate in parliament to reaffirm that a referendum on independence is the key to resolving the ongoing political conflict. 

The head of the Catalan executive takes it for granted that an amnesty will be agreed as part of negotiations to re-elect Pedro Sánchez as Spanish prime minister and wants a new phase to open now. 

In his opening speech, which is expected to last more than two hours, Aragonès plans to ask Sánchez to show courage over the referendum issue. 

He will also make an appeal to the independence movement to take advantage of the political weight they hold in Madrid. Exiled former president Carles Puigdemont and his party Junts hold the balance of power after July's inconclusive general election in Spain. 

Aragonès will also make references to the fiscal deficit and Rodalies, and will announce measures such as the expansion of the school voucher scheme to high school (ESO) students.