King of Spain calls for Christmas Catalunya unity

THE King of Spain has used his Christmas message to urge for a peaceful outcome to the Catalunya crisis.

Felipe VI emphasised the importance of national unity in his speech as he implored Catalans to ‘choose coexistence rather than confrontation’.

Meanwhile, exiled Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has offered to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy following the region’s regional elections.

Separatist parties won 70 seats in the 135-seat regional parliament and Puigdemont’s Together for Catalonia party is expected to form a coalition government alongside the Catalan Republic Left party and the Popular Unity Candidacy.

Rajoy has given no indication he intends to meet with his  adversary at this stage to discuss Catalunya’s future.