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| Europe |
| Puigdemont pressured as 'independence' deadline looms |
| 2017-10-16 |
| [Al Jazeera] Catalan President Carles Puigdemont finds himself in a difficult position after the far-left Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) party delivered a letter demanding he declare independence by Monday. "Only by proclaiming the republic will we be able to position ourselves as an actor willing to protect the civil and political rights of the population still seriously threatened," says the letter, which was released on Friday. Puigdemont declared on October 10 an independent Catalan republic following the disputed referendum on October 1. Then, to the dismay of CUP and other nationalists, suspended the effects of the declaration after eight seconds. According to Puigdemont, it was an attempt to foster dialogue with the national government in order to make a peaceful declaration of independence. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy responded with an ultimatum. Puigdemont must clarify whether or not he declared independence by Monday. If he affirms the declaration, or declines to respond, Rajoy promises to invoke Article 155 of the Spanish constitution which will strip Catalonia of its autonomy. Puigdemont responded on October 11 by tweeting: "Ask for dialogue and they answer you by putting the 155 on the table. Understood." |
| Posted by:Fred |