Catalan parliament session on possible independence opens

Catalan regional government president Carles Puigdemont (R) gives a speech at the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona on 10 October, 2017. Photo: AFP
Catalan regional government president Carles Puigdemont (R) gives a speech at the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona on 10 October, 2017. Photo: AFP

A Catalan parliamentary session that could see regional president Carles Puigdemont declare independence opened on Tuesday, under intense scrutiny from the rest of Spain and Europe.

"The session begins," regional parliamentary speaker Carme Forcadell said, with all eyes on a speech by Puigdemont in which he may announce a full breakaway from Spain in defiance of the central government and national courts.