Catalan Leader Threatens To Declare Independence If Spanish Gov’t Suspends Autonomy

Local Editor

Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont said the region will push for independence if dialogue with Madrid fails.

In response, the central authorities vowed to revoke the region's independence, which is to be officially announced on Saturday.

"If the government continues to impede dialogue and continues with the repression, the Catalonian parliament could proceed, if it is considered opportune, to vote on a formal declaration of independence," Puigdemont said in his second letter to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Spain immediately reacted to the leader's statement, published just minutes before the deadline set by Madrid. Earlier, officials had said that if Catalonia still refuses to drop the independence bid, the central government may trigger Article 155 and revoke the region's broad autonomy.

"The government will continue with the procedures set out in Article 155 of the Constitution to restore the legality of self-rule in Catalonia," the government said in a statement.

The Spanish government called a special Cabinet meeting to decide the fate of Catalan autonomy. The Cabinet will convene on Saturday and is expected to vote for returning full control of the region to Madrid.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team