Catalan crisis: Puigdemont under pressure over independence bid
Pressure is rising on Catalonia's President Carles Puigdemont over his regional government's drive for independence from Spain.
He had been due to make a statement to clarify his position, but the move has been suspended , officials said.
The Spanish Government plans to strip the regional government and Mr Puigdemont of their powers
Article 155 of the Spanish constitution lets Madrid take control of institution, police and finances.
Mr Puigdemont declared independence after a referendum on 1 October, which was ruled illegal by Spain's constitutional court. But the Catalan leader immediately suspended implementations, calling for talks.
The Spanish from Mr Puigdemont was expected on Thursday. Large crowds gathered outside the regional government building in Barcelona, with many hoping that he would declare independence.
There had also been speculation that might suspend the drive for independence and call regional elections in a effort to avoid direct rule from Madrid.
But early on Thursday afternoon Catalan officials said the speech had been suspended they gave no details or explanations.
Local media say that his Coalition of pro-independence groups in the regional parliament is under strain.
A spokesman for ERC, a Catalan separatist party, said it would withdraw its support for Mr Puigdemont if he called a snap election.
The Catalan government said that of the 43% who took part in the 1 October referendum, 90% were in favor of independence.
On Wednesday Mr Puigdemont sent a letter to the Spanish senate arguing that the central governments plan to intervene in Catalonia's autonomy was unconstitutional.
He had been due to make a statement to clarify his position, but the move has been suspended , officials said.
The Spanish Government plans to strip the regional government and Mr Puigdemont of their powers
Article 155 of the Spanish constitution lets Madrid take control of institution, police and finances.
Mr Puigdemont declared independence after a referendum on 1 October, which was ruled illegal by Spain's constitutional court. But the Catalan leader immediately suspended implementations, calling for talks.
The Spanish from Mr Puigdemont was expected on Thursday. Large crowds gathered outside the regional government building in Barcelona, with many hoping that he would declare independence.
There had also been speculation that might suspend the drive for independence and call regional elections in a effort to avoid direct rule from Madrid.
But early on Thursday afternoon Catalan officials said the speech had been suspended they gave no details or explanations.
Local media say that his Coalition of pro-independence groups in the regional parliament is under strain.
A spokesman for ERC, a Catalan separatist party, said it would withdraw its support for Mr Puigdemont if he called a snap election.
The Catalan government said that of the 43% who took part in the 1 October referendum, 90% were in favor of independence.
On Wednesday Mr Puigdemont sent a letter to the Spanish senate arguing that the central governments plan to intervene in Catalonia's autonomy was unconstitutional.
Comments
Post a Comment