Move seen as tactical as support for defiant separatists shows no sign of ebbing.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Catalan parliament has postponed the investiture debate for the regional presidency and the re-election of exiled separatist Carles Puigdemont.
The decision buys time for all concerened although since the Supreme court decision on Saturday, an arrest warrant is no longer active against him.
So did parliament get cold feet or is this tactics?
"I think it is the best decision because Puigdemont asked them to defend his rights and be able to intervene in the Parliament with all guarantees," says the ERC's Sergi Sebrià.
The positive reaction to the postponement appears to extend across many Catalonian parties.
"We see this decision as positive as it is a way of protecting the institution of the Parliament, and to see how to eliminate the 155 article, which is a concensus that exists among all the political parties," said En Comu Podem's deputy leader Elisenda Alamany.
"The decision of the Parliament to postpone the investiture plenary generates more uncertainty and expectation in Catalonia. The political groups asked the Parliament's lawyers to establish a calendar with next steps," reports euronews' Cristina Giner.
Support for Puigdemenot and the separatist cause in general remains strong, and Madrid's position has hardly changed, giving protesters ample reason to come out on the streets and demonstrate. No-one wants to consider an alternative candidate to Puigdemont.