Catalonia's vice-president has said Spanish authorities are giving the region "no other option" but to push ahead with proclaiming a new republic.
Oriol Junqueras said his party - one of two in the ruling pro-independence Catalan coalition - is "going to work towards building a republic, because we understand that there is a democratic mandate to establish such a republic".
He said he was speaking on behalf of his Republican Left party and not for the regional government of President Carles Puigdemont.
His remarks come amid frantic jockeying in the Catalan government on how to respond to plans by Madrid to fire them and directly manage the region's affairs.
Political representatives for Puigdemont say he does not plan to appear before the Spanish Senate to defend his push for independence and to argue against the central government's move to sack him and his ministers.
Regional party officials said Catalonia's parliament speaker informed their representatives that Puigdemont would instead attend the regional body's session to press forward with a push for independence.
Catalan media also strongly criticised plans by the Spanish government to take control of the outlets as part of moves to invoke constitutional authority over Catalonia.
A joint statement by TV3, Catalunya Radio and the news agency ACN described the plan as "a direct attack on the citizens of Catalonia".
The statement, read out in six languages by television and radio anchors during a news conference, said Catalan public media was highly trusted and rated, and Madrid's threat to take control was "a denial of the right to true, objective, pluralistic, balanced information".
Prime minister Mariano Rajoy is seeking to invoke constitutional authority over Catalonia, with Spain's Senate expected to approve the measures on Friday.
He said the government's plans to take unprecedented control of Catalonia's key affairs and halt the region's push for independence are "exceptional" and he hopes they will not last long.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel