Catalans have mixed feelings about quest for independence

Описание: (1 Nov 2017) Catalonians are split over Catalan president Carles Puidgemont's latest moves.
Berga, a town of 16-thousand in the pre-Pyrenees region of Catalonia, has been one of the epicentres of the pro-independence movement in the wealthy north-eastern region of Spain that claimed unilateral independence on Friday 27 October.
More than 98 percent of Berga voted for independence in the 1 October referendum, a vote that was declared illegal by the central government.
Secessionist graffiti can be seen on walls around the town and Berga's mayor Montserrat Venturos from the radical left secessionist Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) party has made a statement by putting the Catalan independence flag on the local municipality building.
Neighbours in Berga gathered on Tuesday in local cafes to listen to Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who unexpectedly left the country during the weekend and travelled to Brussels, just before central government officials took control of Catalan government offices on Monday.
Pro-independence voters in Berga say they don't feel disappointed by Mr Puigdemont's actions.
Forty year-old Fina Sala, who owns a restaurant by the municipality building, believes that Mr Puigdemont is searching for a safer legal framework for their cause:
42-year-old Jordi Lapuente says he doesn't feel disappointed at all after listening to Puigdemont's press conference from Brussels:
"He (former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont) has chosen the best of bad options. It has been a responsible move in order to avoid a conflict in Catalan society, so it is the right situation, going to find external support," he said.
In the sleepy seaside town of Vilanova i la Geltru, 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Barcelona, some residents are disappointed by Puidgemont's trip to Brussels and by the stalemate in the independence process, while other are still strongly supporting him.
"I am Catalan. I was disappointed that he left to avoid prison, after all the mess he has created," said Lidia Guzman.
"He should have faced the truth. Madrid should not have imposed itself, but he should have faced it," she said.
Some of those who opposed to independence are angry at how Puigdemont has handled affairs.
"I have no words. I have no words to describe it. He's just a shameless coward," said Isabel Nieto, who said Catalonia should remain a part of Spain.

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