Catalonia – Spain presidents clash over independence roadmap
Quim Torra says he has a commitment to "obey the Catalan people," while Spanish counterpart hints at more direct rule if law is broken
The Catalan and the Spanish presidents have clashed over the next steps of the independence movement ahead of a speech Torra will give on September 4, where he will reveal his views on the future of the independence cause.
After some media reports leaked that President Torra would request that his Spanish counterpart agree to a self-determination referendum, and that in the absence of agreement his government will move towards independence anyway, Pedro Sánchez responded on Thursday by hinting at the possibility of a new period of direct rule in Catalonia.
"He knows perfectly well the path waiting for him should he go back to unilateralism, break the law or fail to comply," said Sánchez.