Divides disrupt Catalan strategy

BARCELONA, Spain — Catalonia’s separatist movement is at risk of breaking apart over deepening infighting about the right strategy to culminate the long-held desire for the prosperous region to secede from Spain and become an independent state.

Diehard separatists are pushing for a definitive declaration of independence in the next few days. Moderates still hope to open negotiations with Spanish authorities who insist the disputed referendum on which such a declaration would be based was illegal.

The fault lines widened on Saturday, when the far-left CUP party demanded an unambiguous affirmation of Catalan independence from regional President Carles Puigdemont by the Monday deadline given by Spain’s central government.

If Puigdemont does not comply, CUP spokeswoman Nuria Gibert said the party may withdraw its support for his ruling coalition in Catalonia’s regional parliament. Such a move would likely bring down Puigdemont’s government and force elections.

“Until there is (a declaration of independence), we don’t see any sense in continuing normal parliamentary activity,” Gibert said.

CUP had initially given Puigdemont a month to attempt talks with the Spanish government. However, he disappointed the party and the secession movement’s grassroots groups when he wavered on making an outright declaration of independence before the regional parliament on Tuesday.

Instead, Puigdemont asked separatist lawmakers to delay the declaration to provide more time for dialogue.

Gibert said Puigdemont’s ambiguous position only creates “confusion.”