Skip to main content

Catalonia's President faces deadline to clarify his position on the region's independence

Spain's Prime Minister has called on the Catalan leader to "act with sanity" ahead of a Madrid-imposed Thursday deadline for the region's declaration of independence.
In comments made to the national parliament on Wednesday, Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy said he would not extend the deadline to wait for a clear answer from Catalonia's president, Carles Puigdemont.

"This requirement is firm and it expires in less than 24 hours and if this is not dealt with, Mr Puigdemont will provoke the application of Article 155 (of the constitution)," Rajoy said.
Invoking Article 155 allows the central government to take back control of regions, such as Catalonia and the Basque Country, that were granted sweeping freedoms after the 1975 downfall of the Franco dictatorship -- if they acted beyond the law or threaten the national interest.
Such a step would almost certainly mean officers from the Guardia Civil, the national security force, being deployed once again in the streets of Catalonia, a provocative act that risks sparking violence.

Divisive act

Shortly after the October 1 referendum -- in which 90% of ballots cast in what Madrid termed an illegal ballot were in favor of independence -- Puigdemont walked back on his pledge to take Catalonia out of Spain, saying that he was instead suspending the declaration in the hopes of talks.
It is unclear what shape those talks might take, or who would mediate them.
The referendum, marred by violence as Spanish police closed polling stations and dragged away Catalans attempting to vote, had a turnout of only 43% of the voter roll -- which Catalan officials blamed on the central government's efforts to stop the vote.
The violent clashes left almost 900 people injured, according to Catalan officials.

Protests

Tens of thousands of people joined a candlelight vigil in Barcelona earlier in the week to protest the detention of two Catalan separatists.
On Monday, Spain's High Court ordered the head of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), Jordi Sanchez, and the head of Omnium Cultural, Jordi Cuixart, be remanded in custody while they continue to be investigated for sedition.
Footage of Tuesday night's rally in Barcelona shows protesters holding up placards calling for the pair to be freed. They also held up signs saying: "Save Europe" and "Help Catalonia."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Break the Internet: Nikki minaj

Let me just start by saying that I don't like Nicki Minaj -- I love Nicki Minaj. I have always loved her music, her vibe and her approach…she's in your fucking face. She was a star from the first moment she gave us the one-two punch of her verse on Kanye's “Monster" and her debut album, Pink Friday. She's appeared on every track that we know and love, and has collaborated with just about everyone cool. Funny fact, an image of Nicki sitting with Anna Wintour at New York Fashion Week (a gift to me from photographer Patrick McMullan) has been a centerpiece of my art collection in my home. Nicki has been on my mind for years. We have never called an issue Break the Internet since we did it back in 2014 with Kim Kardashian. It takes a certain type of talent, with an awesome fan base and the ability to put trust in PAPER to work our magic. I have always loved all of the looks that Nicki has done (and she has done them all). Her style (typically anchored by her off-t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mugabe has been leading Zimbabwe since independence in 1980

  Robert Mugabe  was never officially asked to become a goodwill ambassador for the  World Health Organization  (WHO), his spokesman has claimed, adding Zimbabwe's president would have turned down the role anyway. The UN's health agency on Sunday said it was reversing a decision to appoint Zimbabwe's 93-year-old leader to the largely ceremonial post to help in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa. The move came after widespread criticism by WHO member states and human rights groups who noted that the health system in  Zimbabwe  has suffered from severe challenges under Mugabe's decades-long leadership. Tedros Adhanom, WHO director, said in a statement he had "decided to rescind the appointment" of Mugabe after listening "carefully to all who have expressed their concerns, and heard the different issues that they have raised". 'Awkward request' But George Charamba, presidential spokesperson, insisted ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Las Vegas shooting victims struggle to afford mounting medical costs

Kurt Fowler and his wife, Trina, were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at a country music festival when the shooting started. Fowler, 41, knew he'd been hit in the ankle and couldn't run. He hid under the stage until the gunfire ended. "I knew my foot was completely useless," said Fowler, a firefighter from Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and a father of three. He underwent surgery, spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and still may need another operation. He also will need rehabilitation and follow-up visits with a specialist. Fowler has a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO through his job, but he said he doesn't know how much he will have to pay out of his own pocket for the care he is receiving. In an era of higher deductibles and limited choice of in-network doctors, however, he knows he could face significant medical bills. His insurance card says his individual deductible is $5,000 and his coinsurance 20%. He said he didn't know how much his hea...
Post a Comment
Read more