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Catalan crisis: Regional leader Puigdemont rules out snap election Catalan crisis: Regional MPs to debate Spain takeover bid
(35 minutes later)
Catalonia's leader has ruled out early elections as a way to resolve the crisis over his regional government's drive for independence from Spain. Catalonia's parliament is to have its say on the escalating crisis over the regional government's push for independence from Spain.
Speaking in Barcelona, Carles Puigdemont said it was up to the regional parliament to decide. Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont opted not to call regional elections as a way of breaking the deadlock with Madrid, asking parliament to debate the crisis.
The Spanish government plans to strip Mr Puigdemont of his powers and curtail parliament's functions. The Spanish government plans to strip Mr Puigdemont of his powers.
Article 155 of the Spanish constitution lets Madrid take control of institutions, police and finances. Article 155 of the Spanish constitution allows Madrid to impose direct rule in the region.
Mr Puigdemont declared independence after a referendum on 1 October, which was ruled illegal by Spain's constitutional court. But the Catalan leader immediately suspended implementation, calling for talks. Large crowds gathered outside the regional government building in Barcelona, ahead of Mr Puigdemont's much-anticipated statement.
The Spanish Senate is set to vote on triggering Article 155 on Friday. Many hoped that he would declare independence. But there has also been speculation that he might call regional elections in a effort to avoid direct rule from Madrid.
Large crowds gathered outside the regional government building ahead of Mr Puigdemont's much-anticipated statement, with many hoping that he would declare independence. However Mr Puigdemont did neither. "I have been prepared to call elections, as long as guarantees are given," he said.
There had also been speculation that he might suspend the drive for independence and call regional elections in a effort to avoid direct rule from Madrid. He added that Spain's governing Popular Party had not given such assurances - without giving any details.
But Mr Puigdemont did neither, and said it was up to the regional parliament to decide on the consequences of article 155 being implemented. "It is up to the (Catalan) parliament to proceed with what the majority determines," he said.
Local media say that his coalition of pro-independence groups is under strain. A spokesman for ERC, a Catalan separatist party, had threatened to withdraw its support for Mr Puigdemont if he called a snap election. The regional parliament is now in session. Local media say that his coalition of pro-independence groups has been under strain.
The Catalan government said that of the 43% who took part in the 1 October referendum, 90% were in favour of independence. A spokesman for ERC, a Catalan separatist party, had threatened to withdraw its support for Mr Puigdemont if he called a snap election.
On Wednesday Mr Puigdemont sent a letter to the Spanish Senate arguing that the central government's plan to intervene in Catalonia's autonomy was unconstitutional. Spain's deputy Prime Minister, Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, defended her government's handling of the crisis, saying the Spanish model was "one of the most decentralised in the world".
"We've always shown our sincere desire to collaborate. The pro-independence camp have made it clear they don't want dialogue."
Mr Puigdemont declared independence after a referendum on 1 October, which was ruled illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court. But the Catalan leader immediately suspended implementation, calling for talks.
The regional government said that of the 43% who took part in the referendum, 90% were in favour of independence.