Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has stood by his decision to keep his region’s declaration of independence from Spain “in suspension” despite a demand for clarity from Madrid, in effect challenging the central government to follow through on promises to forcibly take control of the region.
Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy last week gave Mr Puigdemont until Monday 10am to declare whether Catalonia was seeking separation, warning the region faced the use of Article 155 of the Spanish constitution.
This article is a so-called “nuclear option” which allows Madrid to to dissolve the regional government and call fresh regional elections. The central government can also take over the local police force and television channels.
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