Gabi Zimmer, President of the GUE/NGL group in the European Parliament:

“The shocking scenes taking place in Catalonia today cannot be ignored by the EU. Our thoughts go to those who have been injured in widespread police violence.”

“As expressed earlier this week in a letter to Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, the EU must act to defend fundamental rights against the recent and ongoing actions of the Spanish government. Today’s extremely worrying events, including violence against those attempting to vote, make this all the more urgent.”

“Such attacks on democracy cannot be tolerated. The EU must work to help calm the situation and bring this issue back within a political framework. That is why our group already asked for the situation in Catalonia to be added to the agenda of the upcoming European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg. Tomorrow, we will reiterate this demand at the opening of the session.”