President calls on international community to help resolve political crisis

President Quim Torra began Tuesday by giving his first ever Sant Jordi Day message, in which he called on the international community to help find a democratic solution to the ongoing political conflict in Catalonia.

"We once again ask for the involvement of Europe and the international community to resolve this conflict in a democratic way," said Torra, who added that resolving "the political conflict between Catalonia and Spain is an opportunity for democracy around the world."

Speaking in English, Torra argued that democracy "cannot tolerate the voice of the people being silenced with violence and threats," in reference to the response to the 2017 independence bid on behalf of the Spanish authorities.