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| Catalonia leader Puigdemont fails to clarify independence bid | Catalonia leader Puigdemont fails to clarify independence bid |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The president of the autonomous Spanish region of Catalonia has failed to clarify whether he has declared independence, in a letter to Madrid. | The president of the autonomous Spanish region of Catalonia has failed to clarify whether he has declared independence, in a letter to Madrid. |
| Spain had issued a Monday deadline for Carles Puigdemont to clarify his intent - or face direct rule. | Spain had issued a Monday deadline for Carles Puigdemont to clarify his intent - or face direct rule. |
| Instead, the Catalan leader called for negotiation over the next two months. | Instead, the Catalan leader called for negotiation over the next two months. |
| Mr Puigdemont declared independence last week after a controversial referendum - but immediately suspended the declaration to allow for talks. | Mr Puigdemont declared independence last week after a controversial referendum - but immediately suspended the declaration to allow for talks. |
| Spain's Justice Minister Rafael Catalá said on Monday that Mr Puigdemont's response to the Madrid deadline was "not valid", Spanish news agency Efe reports. | |
| Mr Catalá said the letter failed to clarify Catalonia's position or explain what measures Mr Puigdemont's regional government was planning in order to fulfil Madrid's demands. | |
| It is now thought that the Spanish government will give Mr Puigdemont until Thursday to revoke any independence declaration, before taking steps to enact direct rule. | |
| The region voted for independence in a controversial 1 October poll declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court. Catalan authorities say just under 90% of voters backed independence - but turnout was only 43%. | |
| Polling day was marred by scenes of violence as Spain's police confiscated ballot boxes and attempted to prevent members of the public entering polling stations. | Polling day was marred by scenes of violence as Spain's police confiscated ballot boxes and attempted to prevent members of the public entering polling stations. |
| In a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday, Mr Puigdemont said his "suspension of the political mandate given by the polls on 1 October demonstrates our firm will to find a solution and not confrontation." | In a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday, Mr Puigdemont said his "suspension of the political mandate given by the polls on 1 October demonstrates our firm will to find a solution and not confrontation." |
| "For the next two months, our main objective is to bring you to dialogue," he said, asking for a meeting as soon as possible. | |
| "Let's not let the situation deteriorate further. With good will, recognising the problem and facing it head on, I am sure we can find the path to a solution." | |
| Article 155 of the country's constitution allows the government to impose direct rule in a crisis - but it has never been invoked in democratic Spain. | |
| Some 4,000 national police who were dispatched to Catalonia during the crisis have remained there since polling day. |