Decisive hours before Puigdemont’s big decision

The Catalan president is between two fires. The Spanish government is pushing Carles Puigdemont to say he did not declare independence on Tuesday and the deadline ends on Monday at 10am. If he fails to do so, Catalonia’s self-rule could well be suspended. On the other side, pro-independence factions are pushing him to openly declare a Catalan republic.

Asked for clarification

Carles Puigdemont on Tuesday held off initiating independence in favor of opening a period for dialogue. The next day, the Spanish government gave him until next Monday to clarify whether he had declared independence or not. Anything other than a clear ‘no’, will very likely lead Madrid to enforce article 155 of the Spanish Constitution. 

Companys tribute

The Catalan president did not disclose on Sunday what he is planning to do, while taking part in a tribute to the former Catalan president, Lluís Companys, in Barcelona’s Montjuïc Cemetery. Companys was assassinated by Spain’s Francisco Franco fascist regime in October 15, 1940, 83 years ago. Puigdemont said that Companys was executed “in the name of order and legality” and that now, more than 8 decades later, the ruling party is still “trivializing the crime.” He was referring to a People’s Party spokesman, who earlier this week said that Puigdemont could end up like Companys, if the former declared independence.