Spain threatens direct rule of Catalonia after leader rejects call to end secession
MADRID — Fear, anger and anxiety heightened on both sides of a secession divide as the Spanish government vowed Thursday to take the unprecedented step of stripping autonomous powers from the northeastern region of Catalonia.
The region’s president, Carles Puigdemont, did not renounce independence despite a Thursday deadline imposed by the central government.
The escalating confrontation between Madrid and Spain’s most prosperous region sent ripples of unease across the continent, where European Union leaders are wary of fissures within the bloc.
Spain’s worst political crisis in nearly four decades of democracy could hamper a fragile economic recovery in the country as a whole and cause particular financial harm to Catalonia, which is experiencing a flurry of corporate flight.
Special session set
Imposition of direct rule by the central government, which would be a first in Spain’s democratic history, raises the specter of violence that could be more widespread than the clashes that accompanied an Oct. 1 independence referendum in Catalonia. In that vote, separatist leaders said nine out of 10 voters backed independence, but turnout was less than half of the electorate.
Facing a Thursday deadline to back away from independence proclamations, Puigdemont issued a letter that urged dialogue, but threatened to have regional lawmakers vote on an explicit declaration of independence if Madrid does not agree to talks.
The office of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy responded by saying the Cabinet would meet in special session Saturday to trigger Article 155 of the nation’s constitution, which allows for the imposition of direct central government rule in any Spanish region in the event of a serious violation of the law.
“The objective is to restore legality in Catalonia,” government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo said in Madrid moments after Puigdemont’s written response to the deadline.
The accelerating developments threatened a constitutional order that has prevailed for four decades, after the 1975 death of dictator Gen. Francisco Franco.
Spain insists the independence referendum held Oct. 1 in Catalonia was illegal and the entire country would have to have a say in whether the region would be allowed to secede.
Catalonia, home to 7.5 million people, has its own language and traditions and enjoys a degree of selfrule.
EU sides with Spain
But despite exercising considerable control over their day-to-day affairs, Catalans have chafed at contributing a disproportionate share of wealth to the central tax coffers.
The European Union, fearful of igniting secessionist movements elsewhere, has sided with Spain’s government in the dispute and ignored appeals from Catalan leaders to step in and shepherd talks.
Spain has ruled out international mediation.