Spain threatens to take over Catalonia’s government

BARCELONA » Spain and the secessionist leaders in Catalonia were headed toward an ever more serious showdown — after the central government announced Thursday it would move quickly to assert control of the autonomous region after its president refused to end his push for independence.

Facing a deadline imposed by Spain’s central government to say whether Catalonia was declaring independence or not, the regional president replied Thursday that Madrid should stop threatening Catalonia and instead agree to dialogue to end the impasse.

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont answered Spain’s demand for clarity by sending a second letter to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, stating that Catalonia’s suspension of its declaration of independence remains in force— for now.

Puigdemont then added a threat of his own: If Madrid does not agree to talks, and continues its “repression” of the region, then the Catalan Parliament would meet soon to vote on a formal declaration of independence.

The Catalan government’s decision to effectively decline to respond to Madrid’s ultimatum brings Spain to the brink of a constitutional crisis.

The central government in Madrid said it would begin to implement Article 155 of the Spain’s 1978 constitution, which allows it to take over the regional government, its finances and police.