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Catalonia leader Puigdemont fails to clarify independence bid Catalonia leader Puigdemont 'unclear' on independence - Spain
(about 3 hours 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 Spanish government has said that the head of the Catalonia region has failed to clarify whether he declared independence last week.
Spain had issued a Monday deadline for Carles Puigdemont to clarify his intent - or face direct rule. In a letter to Madrid on Monday, Carles Puigdemont instead called for negotiation over the next two months.
Instead, the Catalan leader called for negotiation over the next two months. Spain's Deputy PM Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said Mr Puigdemont now has until Thursday to clarify his position.
Mr Puigdemont declared independence last week after a controversial referendum - but immediately suspended the declaration to allow for talks. The Spanish government has warned that Catalonia must revoke the declaration or face direct rule from Madrid.
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. Last week Mr Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence, but halted its implementation to allow negotiations.
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. Ms Saenz de Santamaria said on Monday that Madrid "deeply regrets" that the Catalan government had "decided not to respond" to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's request for clarity on the region's independence decision.
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. Speaking at the official residence of the Spanish prime minister, the Moncloa Palace, she said that any future dialogue between Madrid and Catalonia's regional government must take place "within the law".
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%. Ms Saenz de Santamaria added that the Spanish government's handling of the Catalonia crisis was widely backed in the Spanish parliament.
Spain's Justice Minister Rafael Catalá earlier said that Mr Puigdemont's response to the Madrid deadline was "not valid", Spanish news agency Efe reported.
Mr Catalá said the letter had failed to clarify Catalonia's position or explain what measures Mr Puigdemont's regional government was planning in order to fulfil Madrid's demands.
Catalonia's controversial independence referendum result, which was immediately rejected by the Spanish government, has plunged Spain into turmoil.
The vote, held on 1 October, was declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court.
Catalan authorities said that slightly fewer than 90% of voters backed independence, although the turnout for the poll 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 Mr 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."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.""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.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.Some 4,000 national police who were dispatched to Catalonia during the crisis have remained there since polling day.