THE pro-independence administration in the Catalan parliament is to hold a meeting on Thursday as Spain’s central government in Madrid continues moves to take direct control of the north-eastern state.
Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan president, has asked parliament to convene a debate and vote on how it should respond to Madrid’s plans.
A speech he made on Saturday was seen by critics as a veiled threat of formalising a declaration of independence he said was suspended following the October 1 referendum, to allow for negotiations.
But Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy refused to talk as long as independence was on the table and is manoeuvring to sack Catalonia’s top officials and take over Catalan government departments and media.
It is thought he could also call a snap regional election in the next six months.
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