Spain edges closer to imposing direct rule on Catalonia

The Spanish government is moving closer to imposing direct rule on Catalonia after it warned that authorities in the region must drop a bid for independence days after a deadline to back down passed.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont failed on Monday to respond to an ultimatum after Madrid had given him until 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) to clarify his position on independence with a “Yes” or “No”, and until Thursday to change his mind if he insisted on a split – saying it would suspend Catalonia’s autonomy if he chose secession.

Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said after the deadline passed that he had not answered the question and had to do so by Thursday.

Read also: France, Germany voice support as pressure mounts on Catalan leader to drop move for independence

“Mr Puigdemont still has the opportunity to start resolving this situation, he must answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the declaration,” Saenz de Santamaria said.

Puigdemont stated last Tuesday that although he accepted the “mandate of the people” for the region to become “an independent republic,” he was ready to delay the implementation of the mandate while dialogue took place.

Catalonia’s push for independence has been met by aggression from the Spanish government backed by European powers.

The threat to Catalonia following their much-resisted referendum has come from several quarters including the business sphere, where several major businesses headquartered in the economically prosperous region have threatened to move out of the region.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now