We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
CATALONIA’S LEADER SAID today that he would not call elections to ease a standoff with Madrid over an independence push, leaving it up to the regional parliament to respond to the central government’s planned seizure of Catalan powers.
Carles Puigdemont said in a televised statement – which had been initially cancelled but then hastily re-arranged – it had been his “duty” to find a negotiated solution to the crisis “to avoid the impact on our institutions of the implementation of Article 155″.
He was referring to a never-before-used article in the constitution designed to rein in rebel regions, under which Madrid plans to take over Catalan political power and finances in a bid to stop the region’s breaking away after an outlawed independence referendum.
Many had considered early elections – instead of a unilateral declaration of independence – as a way to avoid these drastic measures taking effect and ease the crisis that has pitted Catalonia’s separatist leaders against the central government.
But Puigdemont said there were no “guarantees” in place “to justify calling elections today”.
He added that it was now “up to the (regional) parliament,” which is expected to meet later today, to decide how to respond to the central government’s planned takeover.
Separatist lawmakers hold an absolute majority in the Catalan parliament, and many favour a declaration of independence.
Speaking just after Puigdemont, Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria retorted that with the power seizure, the central government wanted “to open a new stage in which the law is respected”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
What are the Catalans actually at now? They just seem to be ars*ing around
@Franklin Roosevelt: He knows that the split between the separatists and unionists is too fine to call an election he could very well lose.
@Mick Jordan: well, the problem is that Abby election would be a de facto independence referendum. The separatist movement would probably win and Madrid would suspend autonomy again. They were waiting for promised guarantees from Madrid to respect any election result. Madrid refused
@Paul Devlin: I’m not sure the seperatists would win. He has pretty much clocked everything up since the day after the referendum. Has come off very indecisive and almost afraid to act.
@Dave O Keeffe: or unwilling to ratchet up the tension to the point of violence. That’s Madrid’s way. Every violent or coercive blow the Spanish government lands leads another section of the Catalan people to the separatist camp
@Paul Devlin: I agree, but if he wanted a result he should have gone for it two weeks ago when people were already being brutalised by Madrid.
He is out of his depth. Think of the Grand Old Duke of York.
he’s just making an eejit of himself at this stage.. I think the momentum is just gone now &the govt in Madrid must be just loving watching this now
FLIP-FLOP. No wonder SF claim such an affinity to this party.
He knows they will be outcasted by Europe.. dopey stunt he played
@cormac o neill: they’d have a few friends at first, maybe some Scandinavian and Eastern European countries. The UK if Corbyn gets elected even.
Then the nation of Catalonia will become just the new normal and conservatives in Ireland, Britain and beyond will then pretend “Oh yeah, we were always cool with that idea”
Farcical. End of.
This chap is all over the place, get on with it
Just declare independence already.
lol. The head of the catalan fascist government seems to be Lost…
@La Massa: Fascist?
Looks like he bottled it
Eeny Meeny Money Mo. Catch a blackbird by the toe. If it squeals let it go eeny meaney miney mo….no election
I think he knows if he called a second election then the majority of the population would vote and the result wouldn’t be for independence.
Last time round most Catalan’s didn’t recognise the vote as legitimate and only the pro-
independence folk were motivated to vote.
Bit like the Easter Rising. Supported by very few, thought at the time to be crackpots and dreamers. Yet corrected history’s warm hand has made them out to be heroes.
have your say