BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Catalonia’s president is facing a critical decision that could determine the course of the region’s secessionist movement to break away from Spain.
The Spanish government has given Carles Puigdemont until Monday morning to clarify if he did or didn’t actually declare independence earlier this week.
Puigdemont told Catalan lawmakers Tuesday that he had “accepted” a mandate for independence based on the results of a disputed referendum, but that he wanted parliament to delay its implementation to give one last chance to open negotiations with Spain.
If Puigdemont replies “Yes” to Madrid on Monday, then Spain’s government has given him until Thursday to back down or else Catalonia’s ample self-rule could be temporarily suspended.
But if Puigdemont replies “No,” he will face rebellion from hardliners inside the secessionist camp.