Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has formally demanded the Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to clarify whether independence has been declared or not, following the local leader’s speech on the October 1 referendum results.
The clarification was needed so that the Spanish Government can determine its response.
Issuing a veiled threat, Rajoy stated that the clarification was needed to invoke article 155 of the Spanish constitution that would allow Spain to intervene and take control of some or all of Catalonia’s regional powers.
“This requirement is necessary when activating article 155 of the constitution. With it we want to offer certainty to citizens,” Rajoy said in his address to the Spanish Parliament, referring to the article of Spain’s constitution that would permit intervening in Catalonia’s autonomy.
This comes after the Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont sent mixed messages in a highly anticipated speech on October 10.
It was the leader’s first speech since the controversial October 1 referendum.
If Catalonia has officially declared independence, Madrid will likely strip Catalonia of its broad autonomy and take control of some or all of its powers.