Spain asks Catalonia: Did you declare independence or not?

Washington Post ^ | 10/11/2017 | By Pamela Rolfe and James McAuley

[SeekAndFind]

MADRID — Spain’s prime minister on Wednesday asked the head of the secession-minded Catalonia region the question that no one can seem to answer: Did he declare independence or not?

The query reflected more than just confusion. Clarity on Catalonia’s position is critical for Spain to map out its next move — including possible harsh measures against Catalonia if it proclaims itself a sovereign nation.

The uncertainty comes after the region’s president, Carles Puigdemont, told the Catalan parliament in Barcelona on Tuesday that Catalonia had the right to be an independent country, citing a disputed referendum last week that showed strong support for secession from Spain.

But instead of an outright declaration, Puigdemont said the “effect” of independence would be delayed for several weeks to facilitate further dialogue with Madrid. He then signed a document that some perceived as formalizing a break from Spain, baffling observers in Barcelona and Madrid alike.

On Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy delivered a speech in which he accused Puigdemont of sowing “deliberate confusion.” He also asked the Catalan leader to clarify his position.

“This call — before any of the measures that the government may adopt under Article 155 of our constitution — seeks to offer citizens clarity and security that a question of such importance requires.”

Article 155 of Spain’s constitution, known as the “nuclear option,” allows Madrid to suspend Catalonia’s devolved government and take over running the region should it declare independence.

On Wednesday, the Spanish government appeared to close the door on any offer of negotiation but notably did not proceed with activating Article 155.

“I am a firm supporter of dialogue, but I should advise that it is not possible under the guise of dialogue to accept the unilateral imposition of points of view,” Rajoy said in his speech.

[Tax-chick]

But instead of an outright declaration, Puigdemont said the “effect” of independence would be delayed for several weeks to facilitate further dialogue with Madrid. He then signed a document that some perceived as formalizing a break from Spain, baffling observers in Barcelona and Madrid alike.

Nothing like making a bad situation even more confusing with total garble.

[z3n]

“I am a firm supporter of dialogue, but I should advise that it is not possible under the guise of dialogue to accept the unilateral imposition of points of view,”

I read that to really mean “We want to continue to exploit you and the people in Catalonia financially, and if you choose autonomy, you must negotiate with us so that we can continue to exploit you as the terms of an agreement”.

Yeah, okay King George.

[vooch]

Rajoy is being a dick because his coalition only has 170 seats in the house which is 6 short of a majority. 32 seats in his shakey coalition are those of a national-socialist Catalan wacko party that still gives Hitler salutes.

On the other hand, if the socialist, basques, and catalan parties could get their act together and form a coalition - 180 seats in the house and they would have a majority

Rajoy would be outta a job.

[epluribus_2]

Sounds like Brexit.

[angelanddevil2]

You have NO IDEA what you are talking about, do you?.