Spanish government bonds and stockmarkets are not panicking over Catalonia because any secession by the region would have limited effects on Madrid’s finances and economy, a leading analytical firm has said.

One of Catalonia's top separatist leaders pushing for a break from Spain has called for unity as disputes over strategy threaten to split the secessionists.

Thousands of Catalans who want their region to remain in Spain marked the country's national day today, marching through Barcelona waving both Spanish and Catalan flags and shouting "I am Spanish".

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has rejected calls by Catalan officials for negotiations on a referendum on the region's independence, saying the law does not allow it.