Spanish and Catalan lawmakers are each holding meetings Friday to determine what to do next regarding the region’s bid for independence.
Oct. 27 (UPI) — Spanish and Catalan lawmakers are each holding meetings Friday to determine what to do next regarding the region’s bid for independence.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy formally asked Madrid’s senate for authorization to remove Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont from office — a prospect allowed by Spain’s Article 155, which Rajoy is working to impose .
The article, known as the «nuclear option,» can also remove all members of Catalonia’s government in Barcelona and arrange for a new election within six months.
Spain’s senate, which holds to power to invoke emergency measures to impose direct rule from Madrid, is expected to pass legislation on Friday to seize control of Catalonia’s police force, state-run media and budget.
In Barcelona, pro-independence parliament members submitted a motion Friday to seek a vote on whether to secede from Spain and form a fully autonomous Catalan republic — as 90 percent of voters favored in an Oct. 1 referendum. Madrid has regarded the vote as illegal and several world leaders have voiced support for Spain.
Puigdemont has said the referendum was a mandate to declare independence and an opportunity for the Spanish government to negotiate Catalonia’s future. However, the leader has not been fully committal to seceding from Spain. Thursday, he declined to call for new elections, a move that would’ve averted intervention from Madrid and effectively ended the growing political standoff.
The Catalan leader continues to face mounting pressure from both sides. Some of his own supporters have publicly split from him on the issue of independence.
Puigdemont’s lack of action prompted the resignation of Santi Villa, a member of the Catalan cabinet, in protest.
