Without clear answer from Catalonia, Spain set to trigger Article 155

Spain's government said Thursday it will move to impose direct rule over Catalonia -- an unprecedented action -- after the region's president refused to abandon independence push.

The announcement came after Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy that discussions were the only way to resolve the crisis, and threatened a unilateral declaration of independence if Madrid refused to negotiate.

"If the Spanish government persists in hindering dialogue and continues with its repression, the Catalan parliament could, if it deems appropriate, proceed to vote on the formal declaration of independence," the Catalan leader said.

Puigdemont faced a Thursday deadline to clarify his intentions and abandon the autonomous region's independence push.

Spain's government reacted by saying it would invoke Article 155 of the constitution, which allows Madrid to suspend Catalonia's autonomy, impose direct rule and call for new elections in a crisis.
  [upi.com]
  19/10/17
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