Catalonia's crisis with Spain comes to a head

Separatists in Catalonia file a resolution with the regional parliament to declare independence from Spain and a Catalan republic as Spain is expected to impose direct rule on the rebel region.

A spokesman for Catalonia's ruling "Together for Yes" coalition said Friday that lawmakers may later proceed to a vote on secession.

"We declare Catalonia an independent state in the form of a republic," reads the start of the proposed resolution crafted by separatist lawmakers, which hold a majority in the regional parliament.

Pro-independence supporters started to gather outside the parliament where a demonstration was called as Catalan President Carles Puigdemont arrived in the chamber.

In Madrid, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy delivered an impassioned speech to Senate, calling on the chamber to authorize the government to rule Catalonia directly, with a vote expected by 2 p.m. (1200 GMT). 

"Exceptional measures should only be adopted when no other remedy is possible," Rajoy said. "In my opinion there is no alternative. The only thing that can be done and should be done is to accept and comply with the law."

After the Senate vote, Rajoy is expected to convene his cabinet to adopt the first measures, which could include sacking the Barcelona government and assuming direct supervision of Catalan police forces. 

Amid the brewing crisis, Germany urged the two sides to de-escalate the situation through dialog even as it supported the Spanish government in the dispute.

"The government hopes those involved will make use of all opportunities for dialog and de-escalation" provided by the Spanish constitution, a German government spokeswoman said in Berlin. 

Earlier Friday, Puigdemont remained defiant as he refused to call snap elections to break the deadlock with Madrid and his semi-autonomous region. 

Speaking at the regional government’s headquarters in Barcelona, Puigdemont said the central government had not provided sufficient guarantees that holding elections would prevent the imposition of direct rule.

“I was ready to call an election if guarantees were given. There is no guarantee that justifies calling an election today,” he said.

He said it was now up to the Catalan parliament to go ahead with a “mandate” to declare independence from Spain following a referendum that took place on October 1.

Madrid has considered that referendum illegal and threatened to take away Catalonia’s semi-autonomous status if the region did not unambiguously drop its bid for secession.

PressTV-'Catalonia will defend its sovereignty'

The Catalan parliament vows to defend the sovereignty of the region against Madrid’s pressure.

Meanwhile, divisions have emerged between Catalan officials. On Thursday, the regional government’s business head resigned in opposition to a potential unilateral declaration of independence.

Read more: 

• Spain to sack Catalan govt., hold new polls: PM

Ander Gil Garcia, a spokesman for the Socialists in the Catalan senate, has appealed to Puigdemont to call a regional election “and avoid a disaster from which Catalonia and Spain would take a long time to recover.”

Spain has been in turmoil since the disputed referendum on October 1. Puigdemont claimed that 90 percent of the voters in the referendum had backed secession, but the turnout had been put at only 43 percent.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk