Catalan leader's speech on independence delayed one hr

Catalan regional government president Carles Puigdemont arrives to address the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona on 10 October, 2017. Photo: AFP
Catalan regional government president Carles Puigdemont arrives to address the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona on 10 October, 2017. Photo: AFP

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont's speech to lawmakers on possible independence was delayed by an hour Tuesday, the regional government said, as Spain waited anxiously to see if he would announce a breakaway from the country.

"The start of today's (parliamentary) session is delayed for one hour," a government spokesman told AFP, without giving reasons why.