Catalonia on edge ahead of decision
My decision will be inspired by my commitment to peace, civility and serenity, but also firmness and democracy. Carles Puigdemont
barcelona — Pressure was mounting on Sunday on Catalonia’s leader ahead of a Madrid-imposed deadline to decide whether to defy international pleas for unity and declare independence or back down and unleash the wrath of his separatist allies.
Spain’s government has given Carles Puigdemont until 10am (0800 GMT) on Monday to clear up his ambiguous stance on secession after announcing last week he was ready to declare the region “an independent state” but called for more time for talks.
Anything other than a full climb-down is likely to be viewed by Madrid as a declaration of independence which would prompt the government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to begin taking direct control of the region.
Spain’s most serious political crisis in a generation has already prompted hundreds of business to start leaving the prosperous northeastern region and sparked fears it may damage the eurozone’s fourthlargest economy. Puigdemont is under intense pressure from Madrid and European neighbours to abandon his independence push.
But he’s also being squeezed by his separatist allies to deliver succession after a banned October 1 referendum on the matter saw those who voted overwhelmingly back independence. “His commitment to the people who asked this of him on October 1 is very clear, which is why we believe he will go down this route,” Marta Pascal, a senior official in Puigdemont’s party, saidon Sunday.
But Catalans themselves deeply divided over independence, and point out that pro-unity voters stayed at home during the plebiscite.
On Sunday in Girona, a Catalan city where Puigdemont was once mayor, hundreds gathered in favour of independence, chanting the slogan: “No step back!”
But the 54-year-old former journalist is keeping his cards close to his chest. Laying a wreath at the tomb of former Catalan leader and separatist hero Lluis Companys, Puigdemont said his decision would be “inspired by his commitment to peace, civility and serenity, but also firmness and democracy.” —