Catalonia Already Feel Have President
Catalonia Already Feel Have President
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BARCELONA - Catalonia independence declaration would come within days. Catalan 'president', Carles Puigdemont said that his government would 'act at the end of this week or the beginning of next'.
When asked what he would do if the Spanish government were to intervene and take control of Catalonia's government, Puigdemont said it would be 'an error which changes everything'.
"I already feel as a president of a free country," Puigdemont saying in interview with German newspaper Bild.
A unilateral declaration of independence would severely test the government of Spain Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy. If Madrid decides that Catalonia is acting unconstitutionally, it could invoke emergency powers to take control of the Catalan government.
The sight of Spanish forces seizing Catalan institutions would further polarize opinion in the region, reeling from Sunday's crackdown. Barcelona's city police said 700,000 people took part Tuesday in a day of protest against the police violence.
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The King Felipe said Catalan authorities had acted "outside the law" and emphasized the crown's firm support for the constitution, reiterating "commitment as King to the unity and permanence of Spain."
The King's address made it clear that he supported the stance of Rajoy, who has refused to entertain dialogue with the Catalan authorities.
Rajoy has the option of imposing direct rule on Catalonia under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, drawn up after the Franco military dictatorship was toppled in 1975. Regions like Catalonia and the Basque country were given sweeping freedoms and control, but the constitution also protected the integrity of Spain and gave Madrid powers to seize back control if regions acted beyond the law.
Pablo Guillen Alvarez, an economist and ‎associate professor at the University of Sydney, said article 155 gave Madrid wide powers.
"The central government can run the police, the schools, hospitals in lieu of the Catalan government, and the Catalan government couldn't legally do any thing against it," he said.
When asked what he would do if the Spanish government were to intervene and take control of Catalonia's government, Puigdemont said it would be 'an error which changes everything'.
"I already feel as a president of a free country," Puigdemont saying in interview with German newspaper Bild.
A unilateral declaration of independence would severely test the government of Spain Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy. If Madrid decides that Catalonia is acting unconstitutionally, it could invoke emergency powers to take control of the Catalan government.
The sight of Spanish forces seizing Catalan institutions would further polarize opinion in the region, reeling from Sunday's crackdown. Barcelona's city police said 700,000 people took part Tuesday in a day of protest against the police violence.
The King Felipe said Catalan authorities had acted "outside the law" and emphasized the crown's firm support for the constitution, reiterating "commitment as King to the unity and permanence of Spain."
The King's address made it clear that he supported the stance of Rajoy, who has refused to entertain dialogue with the Catalan authorities.
Rajoy has the option of imposing direct rule on Catalonia under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, drawn up after the Franco military dictatorship was toppled in 1975. Regions like Catalonia and the Basque country were given sweeping freedoms and control, but the constitution also protected the integrity of Spain and gave Madrid powers to seize back control if regions acted beyond the law.
Pablo Guillen Alvarez, an economist and ‎associate professor at the University of Sydney, said article 155 gave Madrid wide powers.
"The central government can run the police, the schools, hospitals in lieu of the Catalan government, and the Catalan government couldn't legally do any thing against it," he said.
(rnz)
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