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WORLD NEWS Monday 16 october 2017

Yes or No? Catalan separatists face critical answer to Spain

away. the radical minority he has ing “Yes” vote in a Oct. 1
The European Union sup- as a partner in government referendum that Spain’s
ports a united Spain and that has pushed Catalonia top court had suspended
no foreign country has to the edge of the cliff.” on grounds that it was likely
voiced support for Catalo- Puigdemont is also under unconstitutional.
nia’s separatists, meaning intense pressure from wor- Spain’s Constitution says
a declaration of indepen- ried business leaders, and that matters of national
dence would likely only roughly half of Catalonia’s sovereignty are the jurisdic-
garner a robust response 7.5 million residents that tion of the Spanish parlia-
from Spanish authorities. polls in recent years have ment.
“It’s not too late to rectify shown don’t want to leave Parties against secession
the situation,” Spain’s Inte- Spain. boycotted the vote on
rior Minister Juan Ignacio Puigdemont claimed he grounds that it was illegal
Zoido said Sunday. had the mandate to de- and lacked basic guaran-
Zoido asked Puigdemont clare an independent Cat- tees such as an indepen-
“not to be carried away by alonia after an overwhelm- dent electoral board.q
Catalan regional President Carles Puigdemont attends a
ceremony commemorating the 77th anniversary of the death
of Catalan leader Lluis Companys at the Montjuic Cemetery in
Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. Catalonia’s president
is facing a critical decision that could determine the course of
the region’s secessionist movement to break away from Spain.
(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
By JOSEPH WILSON regional election for Cata-
Associated Press lonia.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) The far-left CUP party said
— Catalonia’s president on Saturday that it will with-
is facing a critical deci- draw its key support from
sion that could determine Puigdemont’s government
the course of the region’s if he fails to make a firm
secessionist movement to statement for a declara-
break away from Spain. tion of independence and
The Spanish government deliver on that promise in
has given Carles Puigde- the regional parliament.
mont until Monday morning Puigdemont gave no hints
to clarify if he did or didn’t on what his answer will be
actually declare indepen- when he briefly spoke on
dence earlier this week. Sunday at a traditional
Puigdemont told Catalan memorial to former Cata-
lawmakers Tuesday that he lan leader Lluis Companys,
had “accepted” a man- who was executed in 1940
date for independence by the troops of dictator
based on the results of a Gen. Francisco Franco.
disputed referendum, but “In place like this and on
that he wanted parliament a day like this, my govern-
to delay its implementation ment wants to reiterate its
“for a few weeks” to give commitment to peace.
one last chance to open and democracy ahead
negotiations with Spain. of the decisions we must
If Puigdemont replies “Yes” make,” Puigdemont said
to Madrid on Monday, then after placing flower ar-
Spain’s government has rangements at the site
given him until Thursday to where Companys was shot
back down or else Catalo- and at his tomb in Barce-
nia’s ample self-rule could lona.
be temporarily suspended. Moderates in the seces-
But if Puigdemont replies sionist bloc are backing
“No,” he will likely face re- Puigdemont’s attempt to
bellion from hardliners in- talk with Madrid, despite
side the secessionist camp its repeated rejections of
which could topple his even considering the pos-
government and force a sibility of Catalonia splitting